Aligned carbon nanotube-polystyrene composites prepared by in situ polymerisation of stacked layers

In situ polymerisation provides a route to polystyrene (PS) matrix composites reinforced with aligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs). As shown, fully densified composites can be prepared; by varying the number of layers of aligned MWNT arrays, desired thickness of the composite can be manufactured. These aligned composites have characteristic anisotropic electrical and thermal properties.

► In situ polymerisation method of preparing aligned multi-wall CNT composites. ► High filler loading fraction (∼20 wt.%) was achieved via this method. ► Multilayer (150) 5 cm-thick composites were prepared with an intact CNT alignment. ► Anisotropy of electrical and thermal conductivity in the composites was confirmed. ► The free radical polymerisation method can be simply extended to other matrices.