Dielectric behavior of biopolymer based composites containing multi wall carbon nanotubes: Effect of filler content and aspect ratio

• We studied dielectric properties of fully biodegradable matrix based composites.
• Dielectric parameters are influenced by both MWCNTs content and aspect ratio.
• Raman spectra showed structural surface regularity for low aspect ratio MWCNTs.
• SEM micrographs indicated the achievement of a satisfying MWCNTs dispersion.

Multi wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with different aspect ratios (30, 105 and 667) were included in a commercial fully biodegradable blend using melt mixing. Samples of composite systems prepared by hot molding and containing up to 1.2 vol% of MWCNTs were studied by means of DC electrical resistivity and dielectric spectroscopy in order to enhance effect of filler content and aspect ratio on their dielectric behavior. Raman spectroscopic investigations and morphological observations were also performed in order to correlate dielectric behavior with surface carbon nanotubes features and to check the actual level of dispersion of carbon nanotubes under the applied processing conditions. Results emphasized that the carbon nanotubes aspect ratio and their surface regularity determine the electrical properties of composites because they strongly influence percolation thresholds, dielectric permittivity and dissipation factor of produced materials. A satisfying dispersion of the filler seems to be achieved under the employed processing conditions. These preliminary results demonstrates possible applications of this type of biobased systems in many applications going from stress control to devices for high storage energy.

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