Significant temperature and pressure sensitivities of electrical properties in chemically modified multiwall carbon nanotube/methylvinyl silicone rubber nanocomposites

The effects of gamma-aminopropyltriethoxy silane coupling agent on electrical properties in multiwall carbon nanotube/methylvinyl silicone rubber nanocomposites were studied. The results showed that the modified nanotubes could be dispersed homogeneously and that they had a tight bonding with the rubber matrix. The concentration of coupling agent played a crucial role in deciding the conductivity and the electrical properties of the nanocomposites exhibited strong dependences on temperature and pressure. Dependences of electrical properties on temperature and pressure were also improved by increasing the content of coupling agent. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.