CNTs/UHMWPE composites with a two-dimensional conductive network

A low percolation threshold can be achieved for the conductive polymer composites(CPC) materials having a segregated structure in which the conductive particles like carbon black (CB), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), etc. are only located on the interface of the polymer matrix particles instead of being randomly distributed in the whole system. Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were experienced alcohol-assisted dispersion under ultrasonication and intense mechanical mixing, and only located on the interfaces of the ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) matrix particles to form a segregated structure. The morphological observation and the critical exponent t value obtained from the classical threshold mechanism indicate that the MWNTs/UHMWPE composites form a 2-dimension conductive network, which leads to a very low percolation of 0.072vol%. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.