Poly(propylene) Nanocomposites Containing Various Carbon Nanostructures

PP nanocomposites containing different carbon nanofillers (CNTs, CNFs, GnPs, CB) are fabricated and further processed by hot compression molding. A high level of nanofiller dispersion is found. The NCs exhibit improved thermal stability and higher crystallinity. Both electrical conductivity and real permittivity increase with increasing nanofiller loading. A strongly aspect ratio dependent electrical conductivity percolation is observed at loadings of 15.0, 12.0, 5.0, and 3.0 wt% for CB, GnPs, CNFs, and CNTs, respectively. The rheological behavior of the NC melts is also investigated. A small concentration of the nanofillers is found to affect the modulus and viscosity of the PP melts significantly.