Comparative physicochemical characterization of ULTEM/SWCNT nanocomposites: Surface, thermal and electrical conductivity analyses

Abstract

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the electrical, thermal and surface properties of polyetherimide/single walled carbon nanotube (ULTEM/SWCNT) composites containing different weight ratios of SWCNT. For this purpose, 1%, 5% and 10% by mass of SWCNT was dispersed in ULTEM by ultrasonic homogenization. The electrical conductivity and thermal properties of composite films prepared by solvent casting method were analyzed. The conductivity enhanced with increasing amount of SWCNT and were observed as 0.019 Scm(- 1) in the ULTEM/SWCNT-10. Besides, the glass transition temperature value of pure ULTEM increased from 216.67 degrees C to 219.59 degrees C with SWCNT addition. The surface properties of the composites were investigated by inverse gas chromatography (IGC). IGC experiments were carried out in infinite dilution with various polar and non-polar solvents. The surface properties of the composites were determined from the retention diagrams. From IGC experiments, it was determined that the composite surfaces were basic in character.