Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube/Polydimethylsiloxane Composite by Simple Solution Mixing Method

Abstract:

In this study, the Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotube (MWCNT) and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) were prepared by using simple solution mixing method. However, the MWCNT have an issue to achieve stable polymer composite because the nanotubes can easily agglomerate and causes bundling when dispersed in polymer. Thus, the MWCNT was dispersed in toluene using mechanical stirring and sonication process. As a result, sonication process shows excellent dispersion of MWCNT with toluene compared to mechanical stirring method. To prepare conductive polymer composite, MWCNT with 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 wt% concentrations were used. The dispersion processes of MWCNT in PDMS were characterized using Raman Spectroscopy. The intensity of D-band and G-band, I_D/I_G band decreases from 1.20 to 1.10 as the MWCNT content (6 wt% to 10 wt%) increases. This indicates less MWCNT defect occurred during dispersion process. Besides, the electrical conductivity of MWCNT/PDMS composite was investigated by using two point probe method. The conductivity of fabricated MWCNT/PDMS composite is in the range of 10⁹ to 10⁶ S/cm and a low percolation threshold is achieved at 4 wt% of MWCNT concentration in PDMS. Extension of this study is needed to improve the electrical conductivity of MWCNT/PDMS composite.

• Periodical: Materials Science Forum (Volume 1055)
• Pages: 19-26
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-yljwmi
• Online since: March 2022
• Authors: Izzaty Mohd Zambri*, Suhana Mohamed Sultan, Yusmeeraz Yusof, Mitra Mohd Addi, Mathan Natarajamoorthy
• Keywords: Low Percolation Threshold, Mechanical Stirring, MWCNT/PDMS Composite, Simple Solution Mixing, Sonication

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