Electrically conductive polyethylene terephthalate/graphene nanocomposites prepared by melt compounding

Graphene nanosheets were prepared by complete oxidation of pristine graphite followed by thermal exfoliation and reduction. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)/graphene nanocomposites were prepared by melt compounding. Transmission electron microscopy observation indicated that graphene nanosheets exhibited a uniform dispersion in PET matrix. The incorporation of graphene greatly improved the electrical conductivity of PET, resulting in a sharp transition from electrical insulator to semiconductor with a low percolation threshold of 0.47 vol.%. A high electrical conductivity of 2.11 S/m was achieved with only 3.0 vol.% of graphene. The low percolation threshold and superior electrical conductivity are attributed to the high aspect ratio, large specific surface area and uniform dispersion of the graphene nanosheets in PET matrix. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.