Correlation of electrical conductivity, dielectric properties, microwave absorption, and matrix properties of composites filled with graphene nanoplatelets and carbon nanotubes

Abstract

The DC electrical conductivity, percolation threshold, and dielectric properties of Graphene Nanoplatelets (GNPs) filled epoxy composites are studied and correlated with microwave absorption. The properties of GNPs filled composites are also compared with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) composites, and GNPs are observed to have superior conductivity than MWCNTs. In all batches, the nanofillers have 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, and 3.5 wt. %. All composites irrespective of the type of nanofiller and viscosity of the matrix have shown electrical percolation threshold at 3.0 wt. %. The dielectric properties, i.e., complex permittivity, tan loss, and AC conductivity, are studied in 100 Hz–5.5 MHz. The DC and AC electrical conductivities (at and below the percolation) measured in 100 Hz–5.5 MHz are correlated to the GNPs and MWCNTs epoxy composites in the microwave frequency range (11–17 GHz). The maximum return loss of −12 dB and −6 dB was determined for MWCNTs and GNPs, respectively. The effects of nanofiller shape and the viscosity of the matrix on the dispersion and interparticle spacing of the conductive fillers within the polymer matrix have been discussed based on the results of conductivity, dielectric, and absorption properties.