Effect of Purification on the Electrical Properties of Nanocomposites Reinforced with Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

The effect of the G to D band intensity (IG/ID) ratio, percentage of Sp2 hybridization and percent of impurities on the electrical resistivity of nanocomposites reinforced with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) has been studied. The MWCNT were purified by reflux, selective oxidation, sonication and mixed oxidative method. The IG/ID ratio was determined by RAMAN spectroscopy, the percent of impurities was determined by TGA whereas the percentage of Sp2 hybridization and carbons bonds by XPS. The resistivity measurements showed how nanocomposites prepared with MWCNTs treated by the mixed oxidative method has the lowest volumetric resistivity values; fact ascribed to the structural changes on the outer shells resulted from the mixed method along to the formation of conductive aggregates where the number of contacts per fiber increases. Hence, for electrical conductivity in CNT/polymer composites, Sp2 hybridization couples with an agglomerated structure have a beneficial effect on electrical conductivity.