Conductive PVDF/PA6/CNTs nanocomposites fabricated by dual formation of cocontinuous and nanodispersion structures

A conductive poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)/polyamide 6 (PA6)/carbon nanotubes (CNTs) composite with a unique hierarchical morphology has been fabricated by the dual formation of cocontinuous and nanodispersion structures using high-shear processing. PVDF and PA6 basically forms cocontinuous structure. The CNTs are exclusively located in the PA6 phase, and numerous PA6 domains with the size ranging from 10 to 150 nm are dispersed in the PVDF phase. The relationships between the physical properties (e.g., electrical conductivity and mechanical properties) and morphology of the composite have been investigated. The results indicate that the formation of PA6 nanodomains in PVDF phase by the high-shear processing not only increases the electrical conductivity but also improves the ductility of the obtained blend nanocomposites.