Improvement of the thermal/electrical conductivity of PA6/PVDF blends via selective MWCNTs-NH2 distribution at the interface

In this study, selective distribution of amino-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs-NH2) in poly (vinylidene fluoride)/polyamide 6 (PA6/PVDF) blends is achieved via the mixing process and subsequent migration. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and selective extraction confirmed that MWCNTs-NH2 could migrate from the PVDF phase to the two-phase interface. The composites could significantly improve thermal/electrical conduction capacity of the composites with low dose. The thermal infrared characterization also indicated that the composites have better heat absorption capability and dissipation performance due to the good thermal conductivity. Rheological measurements exhibited the MWCNTs-NH2 could form network structure with a low content at the interface of the composites. Moreover, the addition of MWCNTs-NH2 led to an improvement in the mechanical properties compared with the pure PA6/PVDF blends. These results manifest that the thermal/electrical conductivity and mechanical performance of the composites with low filler loading can be significantly improved by selective distribution of MWCNTs-NH2 through controlling the migration process. (C) 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.