Multi-walled Carbon Nanotube Filled Polypropylene Nanocomposites: Electrical, Mechanical, Rheological, Thermal and Morphological Investigations

Abstract

The present research aims to investigate the mechanical, rheological, thermal, electrical and morphological properties of nanocomposites prepared from polypropylene (PP) and multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) whose content was varied from 1-6wt%. The electrical resistance of the PP/MWCNT decreased dramatically with the addition of the MWCNT; the PP/MWCNT showed an electrical percolation threshold at the MWCNT content of 1 wt%. The relative viscosity was reduced as the shear rate and temperature increased. The thermal properties of the PP/MWCNT and the crystallization temperature were raised significantly with the MWCNT loading but the degree of crystallinity remained unchanged. The tensile modulus of the PP/MWCNT increased significantly with the presence of the MWCNT while the impact energy increased with the MWCNT loading.