Synthesis and dielectric characterization of polycarbonate/multi-wall carbon nanotubes nanocomposite

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