Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Polylactide Composites for Electrical Engineering—Fabrication and Electrical Properties

Abstract

In the article, both the processes of manufacturing highly homogeneous polylactide resin/multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and their properties are described. Regarding the application of carbon nanotubes polymer composites, one of the most important problems to solve is obtaining good dispersion of the filler in the polymer matrix. Preparation of polylactide/multiwall CNTs composites by quick polymer solidification and freezing the state of the dispersion of the nanotubes in the polymer solution is described. The method we used employs an increase in viscosity (carried out rapidly) of the sonicated polymer solution containing the CNTs by spray deposition. Good dispersion of the nanotubes is confirmed by electron microscopy. The obtained nanocomposites exhibit a low percolation threshold for electrical conductivity (above 0.25% by weight). The described method leads to obtaining an electrical conductive surface on virtually any material and reduces the small amount of an expensive filler (CNTs) needed to achieve good electrical conductivity. Furthermore, the carbon nanotubes used in the fabrication process of the composites were obtained using the liquid-source chemical-vapor deposition (LSCVD) synthesis method.