Effect of different carbon fillers on the properties of PP composites: Comparison of carbon black with multiwalled carbon nanotubes

Polypropylene (PP)/carbon composites were prepared via melt blending PP with carbon fillers, including multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and carbon black (CB). Field-emission scanning electron microscopy was used to research the morphology and dispersion of fillers in the PP matrix. The electrical properties, mechanical properties, and crystallization behaviors of PP/carbon composites were also investigated. The results show that the influence of MWNTs on the properties of PP composites is different with CB, which can be ascribed to the structure and aspect ratio difference between MWNTs and CB. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.