Electrical Properties of Single-Walled/Multi-Walled Carbon-Nanotubes Filled Polycarbonate Nanocomposites

The work focused on development of flexible and light weight polycarbonate based nanocomposites containing single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) prepared by solution method for electronic applications. X-ray diffractometry (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used for the characterization. XRD confirmed the presence of CNTs in the nanocomposites. TEM and SEM both revealed the dispersion of CNTs in the matrix. Percolation threshold was found to occur at 0.5 vol.% for SWCNTs and 4 vol.% for MWCNTs filled polycarbonate nanocomposites. The electrical conductivity, relative dielectric constant and dissipation factor of the nanocomposites were increased abruptly above percolation threshold. The maximum achieved electrical conductivity and the relative dielectric constant of the nanocomposites was found 10(-4) S/cm and 10(8), respectively in both the nanocomposites. The best achieved combination of relative dielectric constant and dissipation factor was found in 1 vol.% SWCNT-PC nanocomposite. The relative dielectric constant of the nanocomposites was almost temperature independent from room temperature to 200 degrees C.