Carbon nanotube network as an electron pathway in nanocomposite films

Abstract

Abstract The role of a multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) network embedded in polymer nanocomposite is a key factor to study. Polyvinyl alcohol was used as the polymer matrix for 0.1 –0.4 wt.% functionalised nanotubes in an effort to establish the nanotube's role in nanocomposite films. The fabrication of nanocomposite film was conducted using an easy and simple procedure via the casting technique. Nanocomposite properties show that in the early addition of 0.1 wt.% MWCNT, an isolator–semiconductor transition with 1.1 × 10−8 S cm−1 conductivity occurred. Nanocomposite films were shown to be sensitive to UV light at 250–400 nm and tended to have a high transmission (approximately ∼90 %) within the visible region. Additionally, an MWCNT concentration of 0.3 wt.% in the electron pathway carried charge carriers of approximately 2.1 × 10−7 S cm−1 via a complete electrically-conductive path. As such, the network nanotubes displayed extraordinary properties as reinforcement for nanocomposite films when viewed in terms of mechanical strength and elongation increased in respective ranges of 7.3–18.8 % and 14.9–25.02 %. Upshift of the G-band occurred at approximately 7–26 cm−1, which was indicative of an electron transfer between the nanotube and the matrix.