Electrical and optical properties of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes/poly (3-octylthiophene)/polystyrene composites
Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials
Published online on June 17, 2013
Abstract
This work focuses on the combination of the complementary physical properties of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and poly(3-octylthiophene) (P3OT)/polystyrene (PS) polymer blend. The characterization of MWCNTs/P3OT/PS hybrid system performed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet (UV)–visible absorption, and electrical measurements show interesting effects. Optical results demonstrate that the addition of MWCNT to P3OT/PS matrix blend will enhance the UV–visible absorption and insignificantly affect the optical energy gap of P3OT/PS matrix; this can be explained in terms of a reduced photo-induced charge transfer in such composite system. This study shows that incorporation of 5 wt% functionalized MWCNTs onto P3OT/PS polymer blend will convert this material from insulator to conductor and at this level of MWCNTs content, MWCNTs will form a network inside blend matrix with low capacitor element and high resistor element effects.