Nanocomposites with enhanced electrical properties based on biodegradable poly(butylene succinate) and polyetheramine modified carbon nanotube

In order to improve the compatibility between the poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), Jeffamine® Polyetheramines were grafted onto MWNTs. The results show that excellent dispersion of nanotubes in the PBS matrices was achieved. An improvement in thermal properties of the PBS/MWNTs nanocomposites was also observed. With the addition of 3.0 wt% MWNT-2070D, the Td of the nanocomposite was 10.1 °C higher than that of the pristine PBS sample. Apart from that, the increments of E′ and E″ of the nanocomposite at 25 °C were 113 and 116%, respectively. In the aspect of conductivity, the surface resistivity decreased from 2.35 × 1014 Ω/□ for neat PBS to 5.88 × 103 Ω/□ for the nanocomposites with a 3.0 wt% of MWNT-2070D. Such PBS/MWNT-2070D nanocomposites are potentially efficient for anti-static purposes, even electrostatic discharge and EMI shielding, which can be applied in electronic materials.

► The dispersity of carbon nanotube in the PBS is improved via organic modification.
► The PBS/carbon nanotube composites possess good mechanical and electrical properties.
► The surface resistivity decreases from 2.35 × 1014 to 5.88 × 103 Ω/□ for the composite.