Ultrahigh Electrical Resistance of Poly(cyclohexyl methacrylate)/Carbon Nanotube Composites Prepared Using Surface-Initiated Polymerization

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes on which poly(cyclohexyl methacrylate)s are densely grafted (PCHMA-CNTs), are synthesized using a modified surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization technique. The electrical resistance of PCHMA-CNT is systematically characterized under direct current (DC) and alternating current and compared to that of conventional nanocomposites prepared by blending PCHMA with the CNT (PCHMA/CNT). At a comparable volume fraction of CNT, DC volume resistivity of PCHMA-CNT is 14 orders of magnitude higher than that of PCHMA/CNT. This is because the grafted polymer with a combination of the high molecular weight and the high grafting density isolates individual CNTs at a long distance in the PCHMA-CNT system. In addition, impedance analysis reveals that the highly insulated PCHMA-CNT has the same electrical nature as neat PCHMA, i.e., it is a dielectric. Furthermore, dynamic mechanical analysis shows PCHMA-CNT has a good mechanical properties as well as ultrahigh electrical resistance.