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Synthesis and dielectric characterization of polycarbonate/multi-wall carbon nanotubes nanocomposite
⁎Corresponding authors. srivastava_anoop@rediffmail.com (Anoop K. Srivastava), jihoonlee@jbnu.ac.kr (Ji-Hoon Lee)
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Received: ,
Accepted: ,
This article was originally published by Elsevier and was migrated to Scientific Scholar after the change of Publisher.
Peer review under responsibility of King Saud University.
Abstract
Multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and Polycarbonate/Multi-wall carbon nanotubes nanocomposite were prepared by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and twin-screw compounding extruder method, respectively. The morphology and dispersion were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy. The Raman analysis confirmed good interaction between multi-wall carbon nanotubes and polycarbonate. The dielectric impedance spectroscopy of polycarbonate/multi-wall carbon nanotubes nanocomposite varying from 0.25 to 1.5 weight percentages has been carried out in the frequency range of 1.0 Hz–1.0 MHz. One dielectric relaxation mode is observed in pristine polycarbonate at low frequency region (∼10 Hz), whereas polycarbonate loaded with multi-wall carbon nanotubes induced one more dielectric relaxation in kHz region (∼10 kHz). The percolation threshold of the polycarbonate/multi-wall carbon nanotubes composites was observed at 0.75 wt.% of MWCNTs.
Keywords
Nanocomposite
Polymers
Multi-wall carbon nanotubes
Dielectric spectroscopy
1 Introduction
The polymer nanocomposite consists of a polymer matrix with nano-sized fillers. Different fillers have been tested to improve or modify the properties of polymers and also utilized for commercial applications (Li, 2014, 2012, 2010a,b, 2009, 2008a,b). In the last few years, conductive nanofiller/polymer composites (PC) have been widely studied in academia and industry because of their extraordinary properties compared to conventional conductive polymer composites (Breuer and Sundararaj, 2004; Winey and Vaia, 2007). In this context, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are one of the most promising fillers for future applications due to their unique and useful characteristics such as low mass density, large interfacial contact area, high stiffness, chemical stability, and superb electrical characteristics. Because of their large aspect ratio, a small amount of CNTs can have an unusually large influence on the properties of the composites (Wang et al., 2015; Xie et al., 2005). These opportunities include the use of CNTs as conductive filler in insulating polymer matrices and as reinforcement in structural materials (Allaoui et al., 2002; Putz et al., 2004). Although single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are dispersed well in the polymer matrix by solution mixing, relatively weak Van der Waals forces affect the bonding between nanotubes and polymer matrix. Therefore, multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are preferred fillers rather than SWCNTs for polymer matrices (Zhang et al., 2006; Man et al., 2009).
Polymer nanocomposites indeed attracted much scientific and technological interest (Shaffer and Windle, 1999; Andrews et al., 2002; Cooper et al., 2002; Haggenmueller et al., 2000; Jin et al., 2001; Sandler et al., 1999; Osińska and Czekaj, 2013; Patsidis and Psarras, 2013; Ulrich, 2004; Bai et al., 2000; Wan et al., 2015) mainly because incorporation of nanomaterials enhances the capacitance or dielectric constant of polymer and epoxy matrices and produces a network of nanocapacitors (Sandler et al., 1999; Osińska and Czekaj, 2013; Patsidis and Psarras, 2013; Ulrich, 2004; Bai et al., 2000; Wan et al., 2015). The embedded nanocapacitors could act as energy storing devices. The large capacitance or dielectric constant allows the system to function as power supply decoupling device and thus large external capacitors can be avoided from circuit boards surface.
Complex impedance spectroscopy is a most suitable and versatile technique to study collective and molecular dynamics of crystalline materials and characterize the electrical and dielectric properties of materials (Wan et al., 2015; Srivastava et al., 2015, 2008, 2005; Chawla et al., 2014; Rizos et al., 1999; Campbell et al., 2001; Pradhan et al., 2008; Man et al., 2009; Kum et al., 2006; Potschke et al., 2004, 2003; Shrivastava et al., 2014). The charge transport process causes a number of polarization mechanisms, which give rise to frequency dispersion or dielectric relaxation in the materials under an AC field. It is useful for evaluating high ionic conductivity, molecular relaxation dynamics, and orientation fluctuations. Dielectric impedance spectroscopy also provides detailed insight of the molecular and cooperative dynamics on various time and length scales. Literature survey reveals that the dielectric studies on polycarbonate (PC) filled with carbon nanotubes have not been studied extensively (Man et al., 2009; Kum et al., 2006; Potschke et al., 2004, 2003; Shrivastava et al., 2014). Man et al. (2009) have reported that the dielectric constant and the permittivity of the PC/MWCNTs increase dramatically above 1.0 wt.% of MWCNTs. The percolation threshold of the PC/MWNTs was observed between 1.5 and 2.5 wt.% MWNTs content by Kum et al. (2006). Potschke et al. (2004, 2003) and Allaoui et al. (2002) have also reported similar results for the PC/MWNT composites by electrical conductivity and rheological measurements, respectively.
In the present work, our aim was to synthesize MWCNTs by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) technique and PC/MWCNTs nanocomposite by twin-screw compounding extruder method and to investigate the effect on dielectric properties of PC/MWCNTs nanocomposite for small wt.% varying from 0.25 to 1.5 wt.% of PC/MWCNTs nanocomposite. The dielectric investigation of pristine PC and PC/MWCNTs nanocomposite has been carried out in frequency range of 1.0 Hz to 1.0 MHz.
2 Experimental
PC was obtained in the form of granules, and MWCNT was prepared by the CVD technique. The purity of MWCNT was characterized by the Raman spectroscopy. Melt compounding was carried out using a twin-screw compounding extruder (DACA Instruments, USA) with a screw speed of 150 rpm at 260–270 °C. About 20 g PC was introduced into the preheated rotating compounder, followed by the addition of 0.25, 0.55, 0.75, 1.00 and 1.50 wt.% of MWCNTs. A rotational speed of 150 rpm was applied. Half of the strand was used as one time extruded (OTE), and the rest was again extruded by twin screw compounding extruder maintaining the same temperature, the resulting nanocomposite being two time extruded (TTE). Then, the strand was stacked into a desired size (60 × 20 × 2.5 mm3) followed by compression molding at 150 °C. The morphology of the as produced MWCNTs and nanocomposite for 0.55 and 0.75 wt.% of MWCNTs was observed by the scanning electron microscope (SEM) (Model LEO 440, USA). The Raman analysis of the nanocomposite was carried out for 0.55 and 0.75 wt.% of MWCNTs by using a Renishaw India Reflex Micro Raman Spectrometer equipped with the charge-coupled device (CCD) detector at room temperature in air. The Red laser (excitation line 785 nm) was used to excite the nanocomposites with laser power of 25 mW for 10 s. Dielectric studies with the pellet of specimen, sandwiched between brass plates as capacitors have been carried out in the frequency range of 1.0 Hz to 1.0 MHz by using impedance gain phase analyzer of Solartron model SI-1260 coupled with Solartron dielectric interface model-1296. The dielectric constants of the samples were calculated by measuring the capacitance of the pellet and its geometry.
3 Results and discussion
The morphology and the extent of nanotube dispersion were characterized by SEM. The SEM images of the synthesized MWCNTs and the fractured surface of the PC/MWCNTs nanocomposite are shown in Fig. 1(a)–(c). The fracture surface of the PC/MWCNTs nanocomposite reveals the interaction between MWCNTs and PC matrices. Fig. 1(b) and (c) shows that MWCNTs achieved good dispersion in PC (Yadav and Lee, 2014).
SEM images of (a) MWCNT and fracture surface of (b) 0.55% and (c) 0.75% PC/MWCNTs nanocomposite.
In order to further investigate the purity of as produced MWCNTs and interaction between MWCNTs and PC nanocomposite, the Raman spectroscopic analysis was carried out on MWCNTs and PC/MWCNTs nanocomposite. The results are interpreted on the basis of changes in Raman shift (G band, 1578 cm−1 in 0.55% and 1581 cm−1 in 0.75%), as shown in Fig. 2(b). Raman shift can provide insight into dispersion and interaction of MWCNTs in PC matrices (Lordi and Yao, 2000; Lucas and Young, 2004; Heller et al., 2004; Xia and Song, 2005). The shifting of G-band peak of MWCNTs in PC/MWCNTs nanocomposite showed the interaction between MWCNTs and PC. A significant increase in the Raman shift indicated good dispersion and interaction between MWCNTs and PC.
Raman spectra of (a) pure MWCNT, and (b) 0.55% and 0.75% PC/MWCNTs nanocomposite.
To analyze measured data, the dielectric spectra have been fitted with the generalized Cole–Cole equation (Srivastava et al., 2015, 2008, 2005).

Variation of dielectric loss of pristine PC and PC/MWCNTs nanocomposite of different wt.%.

Cole–Cole plot of pristine PC and PC/MWCNTs nanocomposite of different wt.%.

Variation of dielectric permittivity of PC/MWCNTs nanocomposite of different wt.% in high frequency limit.

Resolved peaks: (a) low frequency dielectric loss peaks, after subtracting the high frequency cole–cole term in the whole dielectric spectra. (b) High frequency dielectric loss peaks, after subtracting the low frequency cole–cole term in the whole dielectric spectra.

Variation of relaxation frequency of pristine PC and PC/MWCNTs nanocomposite of different wt.%.

Variation of dielectric strength of pristine PC and PC/MWCNTs nanocomposite with different wt.%.
Fig. 9 shows the frequency dependent electrical conductivity behavior of nanocomposites and PC at room temperature. The net AC conductivity (σac) of synthesized nanocomposites at room temperature is the linear superposition of DC conductivity and AC conduction component (Aωs; A is constant and s is power law exponent), which is called universal dynamic behavior (UDR) (Wan et al., 2015). The second component (Aωs) is the representative of the electrons tunneling and hopping in PC nanocomposite structures which contribute to electrical conductivity. In the present case, it is clear that the DC component of electrical conductivity (ω → 0) is less dominant than the AC part. Nevertheless, the effect of DC component is relatively more pronounced at 0.75 wt.% of MWCNTs at low frequencies. The increase in electrical conductivity at higher frequencies is attributed to space charge polarization removal. Electrical conductivity rises from 10−11 S/m in PC to 10−10 S/m in 1.5 wt.% MWCNTs nanocomposite at 1.0 Hz. Though the conductivity is very low due to very small wt.% of MWCNTs, high conducting polymer nanocomposite of the order of ∼1.0 S/m can also be obtained by increasing the loading amount of greater than 2.0 wt.% of MWCNTs (Potschke et al., 2003). Recently, the conductivity of the order of ∼50 S/m was reported for graphene PC nanocomposite (Yoonessi and Gaier, 2010).
Variation of conductivity of pristine PC and PC/MWCNTs nanocomposite with different wt.%.
4 Conclusions
In summary, we have synthesized the MWCNTs and PC/MWCNTs nanocomposite by CVD and twin-screw compounding extruder, respectively. The Raman analysis confirmed good interaction between carbon nanotubes and polycarbonate. Single dielectric relaxation mode has been observed in pristine polycarbonate, whereas dispersion of MWCNTs induced one more dielectric relaxation mode in PC/MWCNTs nanocomposite. The percolation threshold of the polycarbonate/multi-wall carbon nanotubes composite was observed at 0.75 wt.% of MWCNTs. The low frequency relaxation mode is due to the rotation of PC molecules, whereas the origin of high frequency relaxation mode is attributed to reorientation of PC molecules which arises due to interfacial polarization because of accumulation of charges at the systems’ interface under an AC electric field.
Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the Human Resource Development Program (No. 20134030200360) of the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning – South Korea. One of authors (AKS) would like to thank the Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi, India, for financial support under Fast Track Young Scientist Project SR/FTP/PS-037/2011.
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