Glycerol plasticized-starch/multiwall carbon nanotube composites for electroactive polymers

As the potential electroactive polymers, glycerol plasticized-starch (GPS)/multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composites were prepared by casting. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction proved that the MWCNTs were dispersed well in the GPS matrix. The introduction of MWCNTs restrained starch re-crystallization, improved the tensile strength and Young's modulus, but reduced the toughness of the nanocomposites. The electrical conductivity was sensitive to the presence of water. The conductivity versus water content relationship could be described with a second-order polynomial. The composites exhibited a low electrical percolation threshold of 3.8 wt% MWCNTs loading and the conductivity of the composite containing 4.75 wt% MWCNTs reached 10(0) S/cm, which was almost independent of water contents. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.