화학공학소재연구정보센터
Macromolecules, Vol.44, No.8, 2819-2828, 2011
Universality and Percolation in Biodegradable Poly(epsilon-caprolactone)/Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposites from Broad Band Alternating and Direct Current Conductivity at Various Temperatures
Dc and ac conductivities in a broad angular frequency, 2 pi x 10(-3) s(-1) < omega < 2 pi x 10(7) s(-1), and temperature range, 133 K < T < 323 K, were measured in poly(epsilon-caprolactone)/multiwalled carbon nanotube nanocomposites as a function of weight concentration (0 wt % <= p <= 3 wt %). The universal dynamic response was observed at low p values, and the parameters were adjusted by working in several domains. Scaling laws predicted by the variation of dc conductivity as a function of p or characteristic frequency in percolation theory were followed and showed the formation of a 3D percolative cluster at concentration values as low as 0.3 wt %. The existence of tunneling conduction was proved, and its independence on temperature indicates that we are in the presence of a conventional tunnel effect among nanoparticles not yet in physical contact, through energy barriers made by the polymer chains. All these combined facts allowed construction of a master curve evidencing the time-temperature-composition superposition existing in the poly(epsilon-caprolactone)/multiwalled carbon nanotube nanocomposites studied here.