Dielectric Properties of Epoxy-Matrix Composites with Tungsten Disulfide Nanotubes

Abstract

Addition of conductive nanotubes to an insulating polymer matrix has been proven as an efficient strategy that can improve the electromagnetic shielding performance, due to the high aspect ratio of nanotubes. Herein, a set of epoxy-matrix composites filled with 0.15-1.6 vol% of tungsten disulfide (WS2) nanotubes being of 30-120 nm in diameter and 5-20 μm in length has been produced. Electromagnetic properties of the prepared composites were probed in the frequency range from 20 Hz to 1 MHz in a temperature range from 250 K to 500 K. Broadband properties of these materials are controlled by the dynamics of epoxy resin molecules, and no electrical percolation was observed up to the highest concentration (1.6 vol%) of WS2 nanotubes. The value of dielectric permittivity for all composites is not bigger than 6 at room temperature and 1 kHz frequency, and the electrical conductivity of composites is about 10-6 S/m at 500 K, which demonstrate that the composites are suitable for antistatic applications at higher temperatures. The relaxation time follows the Vogel-Fulcher law, and the Vogel temperature T0 has the minimum for the WS2 nanotube concentration 0.15 vol%. Above 410 K, the electrical conductivity determines the properties of the investigated composites due to nonzero electrical conductivity of epoxy resin. The value of DC electrical conductivity for pure epoxy at T=450 K is 0.3 μS/m, while the DC conductivity of the composites slightly increases with the WS2 concentration. Therefore, the electrical contacts between WS2 nanotubes and polymer matrix are rather ohmic. Additionally, the activation energy is almost independent on the concentration of WS2. However, it is higher in composites than in pure epoxy resin.