Sequential Mixing as Effective Method in the Reduction of Percolation Threshold of Multiwall Carbon Nanotube in Poly( methyl methacrylate)/ High- Density Poly( ethylene)/ MWCNT Nanocomposites

This work demonstrates sequential heating protocol to be an effective method in the reduction of percolation threshold of multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) in (70/30 w/w) poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/high-density poly(ethylene) (HDPE)/MWCNT nanocomposites. Here, the percolation threshold (P-c) value was reduced to 0.08 wt % of MWCNT, which is the lowest among the ever reported values of P-c for the PMMA system. Moreover, a co-continuous morphology of the minor HDPE phase was evident throughout the major PMMA phase in a highly asymmetric composition (70/30 w/w) of the blend constituents. The AC conductivity as well as the dielectric permittivity values were increased with increase in loading of MWCNT in the nanocomposites. The detailed analysis of electrical and morphological properties is discussed in depth in the article. (c) 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014, 131, 40235.