Study on the properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes reinforced poly (vinyl alcohol) composites

Nanocomposite films based on polyvinyl alcohol(PVA) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) at different weight ratios (i.e.0.0,0.5, 1.0,1.5, 2.0 wt%), were prepared by dispersion techniques. Cationic geminisurfactant and its monomeric form (0.01 wt%) were used as dispersants to achieve homogeneous and stable dispersionof CNTs in water and subsequent PVA/CNTs nanocomposites. Surface charge of CNTs in aqueous suspension with addition of the used dispersants were investigated by measuring its zeta potential. The structural and interaction studies have been analyzed from X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. The effect of the used surfactantson the separation and distribution of CNTs in PVA matrix was studied by visual characterization based on scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Thermal, mechanical and electrical properties of the prepared nanocomposites were evaluated and the results were discussed in relation with the CNTs content and surfactant type as dispersant. Surfactant effect improved the dispersion homogeneity of CNTs (at 1.0 wt%) within the polymer matrix. The physical interaction between. CNTs and PVA macromolecular chains resulting in nanocomposites with largely enhanced properties compared to those prepared with higher filler loading by avoiding the agglomeration phenomenon of nanotubes. On the other hand, the addition of CNTs by content up to 2 wt%, increases the electrical conductivity to be 10^?6 Scm^?1 at room temperature which highly recommends such composites to be used in electrostatic dissipation applications upon using gemini surfactant. Furthermore, useful nanosized capacitor structure based onnanocomposites containing its monomeric form, characterized by high permittivity and low dielectric loss, can be formed.     

New piezoelectric damping composites of poly(vinylidene fluoride) blended with clay and multi‐walled carbon nanotubes

Damping materials are used to control mechanical vibrations, and piezoelectric damping composite is a very promising material due to its unique mechanism. In this study, a potential piezoelectric damping composite was developed by simply melt mixing poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) with small amounts of organic modified montmorillonite (OMMT) and multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The piezoelectric, mechanical and electrical properties were investigated using a dynamic mechanical analyser, direct current electrical resistivity measurements, X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the direct quasi‐static d₃₃ piezoelectric coefficient method. It was found that the damping property of PVDF can be greatly improved by adding both MWCNTs and OMMT, and the composite containing 1.9 wt% of MWCNTs and 3 wt% of OMMT showed the best damping property. A model and an approximate calculation were applied to explain the improved damping property. Moreover, similar mechanical properties of PVDF composites were observed in the tensile testing and dynamic mechanical analyser measurements. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Facile fabrication of PVA composite fibers with high fraction of multiwalled carbon nanotubes by gel spinning

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) composite fibers with high fraction of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were prepared by gel spinning process. Here, a modified process was introduced to prepare concentrated PVA/MWCNTs/DMSO spinning dope, and to attain good dispersion of MWCNTs in the fibers. The final composite fibers were studied by thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and WAXD analysis. The total content of MWCNTs in PVA composite fibers, from 5 to 30 wt%, was confirmed by TGA analysis. FTIR and Raman measurements demonstrated the existence of strong hydrogen interaction between MWCNTs and PVA matrix. SEM images of composite fibers showed smooth surface, regular cross‐section shape and good dispersion of MWCNTs in the fibers. DSC analysis showed that the crystallinity first increased and then decreased with the increase of MWCNTs contents. It can be concluded that low concentration of MWNCTs can act as nucleation sites for crystallization of PVA component, and large amount of MWCNTs may impede the crystallization of PVA component. The WAXD analysis results indicated that the crystal orientation of the PVA component in PVA composite fibers is almost identical at the same drawn ratio. Polarized Raman analysis indicated a small increase in MWCNTs orientation for the composite fibers. The mechanical properties tests showed that the composite fibers exhibit significant improvement in tensile strength and modulus as compared to the neat PVA fibers. The composite fibers also showed sustained growth in electrical conductivity. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:37–45, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers     

辐射交联PVA/PVP/胶原复合水凝胶的制备及性能研究

采用辐射交联与冻融循环相结合的方法,将胶原引入聚乙烯醇(PVA)/聚乙烯基吡咯烷酮(PVP)水凝胶体系,制备具有较高生物活性的PVA/PVP/胶原复合水凝胶。通过含水率、溶胀性能、力学性能及微观结构研究胶原对复合水凝胶结构与性能的影响,并优选最佳体系进行体外细胞毒性实验(MTT法)。研究结果表明,复合水凝胶具有均匀分布的三维多孔结构,胶原的添加增大水凝胶网络空间结构,其初始含水率达92%,并在10 h内达到溶胀平衡,但力学性能降低。辐射交联与冻融循环相结合的方法有利于提高胶原水凝胶制备效率,胶原结构不改变,其体外细胞存活率从PVA/PVP水凝胶的77.3%提高到93.8%,细胞相容性提高。     

Synthesis and characterization of multiwalled carbon nanotube/polyurethane composites via surface modification multiwalled carbon nanotubes using silane coupling agent

Well‐dispersed multiwalled carbon nanotubes/polyurethane (MWCNTs/PU) composites were synthesized in situ polymerization based on treating MWCNTs with nitric acid and silane coupling agent. The morphology and degree of dispersion of the MWCNTs were studied using a high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR‐TEM) and X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD). The result showed that MWCNTs could be dispersed still in the PU matrix well with the addition of 2 wt% MWCNTs. The thermal and mechanical properties of the composites were characterized by dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, tensile, and impact testing. The result suggested that the glass transition temperature (T_g) of composites increased greatly with increasing MWCNTs content slightly, and the MWCNTs is also helpful to improve mechanical properties of composites. Furthermore, the composites have an excellent mechanical property with the addition of 0.5 wt% MWCNTs. The electrical property testing indicates that the MWCNTs can improve evidently the electrical properties of composites when adding 1 wt% MWCNTs to the PU matrix. The volume resistivity of composites reaches to an equilibrium value. POLYM. COMPOS., 33:1866–1873, 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Enhanced electrical conductivity of nylon 6 composite using polyaniline-coated multi-walled carbon nanotubes as additives

Aggregation in polymer composites is one of the major obstacles in the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) applications. Authentic CNTs are known to have very good electrical conductivity and mechanical strengths. Surface functionalization can avoid aggregation and help dispersion of CNTs, but reduces CNT’s electrical conductivities and mechanical strengths dramatically. It needs a good way to resolve the above dilemma situation; i.e., poor dispersion-good conductivity vs. good dispersion-poor conductivity. Herein, we demonstrate that in-situ polymerized polyaniline (PANI)-coated CNTs have good polymer matrix compatibility, and are superior electrically conductive fillers to nylon 6 composites. In this report, multi-walled CNTs (MWCNTs) were surface-modified with poly(acrylic acids) (PAA), followed by further coating with PANI. The electrical conductivity of (PANI-MWCNTs)-nylon 6 composite thin film was increased from 10⁻¹² to 7.3 × 10⁻⁵ S/cm in the presence of 1 wt% PANI-coated MWCNTs prepared by physical mixing of PANI and PAA-grafted MWCNTs. When in-situ polymerized PANI-coated MWCNTs were added, the electrical conductivity of MWCNTs-nylon 6 composite was further enhanced by 3 orders to be 3.4 × 10⁻² S/cm at the same 1 wt% loading of MWCNTs. Both Fourier-transformed infrared and uv-visible absorption spectra indicate that there exist very strong site-specific charge transfer interactions between the quinoid rings of PANI and MWCNTs, which results in the superior electrical conductivity of MWCNT-nylon 6 composite.     

Sintering Process and Mechanical Property of MWCNTs/HDPE Bulk Composite

Studies have proved that increasing polymer matrices by carbon nanotubes to form structural reinforcement and electrical conductivity have significantly improved mechanical and electrical properties at very low carbon nanotubes loading. In other words, increasing polymer matrices by carbon nanotubes to form structural reinforcement can reduce friction coefficient and enhance anti-wear property. However, producing traditional MWCNTs in polymeric materix is an extremely complicated process. Using melt-mixing process or in situ polymerization leads to better dispersion effect on composite materials. In this study, therefore, to simplify MWCNTs /HDPE composite process and increase dispersion, powder was used directly to replace pellet to mix and sinter with MWCNTs. The composite bulks with 0, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4% nanotube content by weight was analyzed under SEM to observe nanotubes dispersion. At this rate, a MWCNTs/HDPE composite bulk with uniformly dispersed MWCNTs was achieved, and through the wear bench (Pin-on-Disk), the wear experiment has accomplished. Accordingly, the result suggests the sintered MWCNTs/HDPE composites amplify the hardness and wear-resist property.     

Molecular dynamics simulation and experimental study of the bonding properties of polymer binders in 3D powder printed hydroxyapatite bioceramic bone scaffolds

Binder properties are a key factor affecting the quality of bone scaffolds produced using 3D powder printing. In this research, molecular dynamics simulation (MD) and experimental methods were applied to study the cohesive energy density, mechanical properties, bonding behavior, and surface morphology of three polymer binders (PVP, PAM, PVA) employed in the 3D fabrication of hydroxyapatite (HA) bone scaffolds. The bonding mechanisms of the three polymer binders were revealed by analyzing the interaction between the binders and the HA surface. The binding energies between the binders and HA are associated with the cohesive energy density and viscosity of each of the binders, which are attributed to functional groups in the binders. The mechanical properties determined experimentally for the bone scaffolds produced using each of the three polymer binders were in a different relative order than the engineering modulus of the binders and the interaction between the binders and HA calculated in simulations. This is a reflection of the mechanical properties of bone scaffolds being a comprehensive reflection of the basic materials and their bonding effect. Finally, SEM imaging indicated additional factors affecting the mechanical properties and degradation rate of the scaffolds. Conclusions from this work can be used to forecast the properties of three commonly used polymer binders and provide a theoretical basis for the choice of binders in the production of 3DP-fabricated bone scaffolds.     

Porous boron nitride nanofibers/PVA hydrogels with improved mechanical property and thermal stability

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel is a promising material possessing good chemical stability, high water absorption, excellent biocompatibility and biological aging resistant. However, the poor mechanical performance of PVA hydrogel limits its applications. Here we report the utilization of one-dimensional (1D) BN nanofibers (BNNFs) as nanofillers into PVA matrix to prepare a novel kind of BNNFs/PVA composite hydrogel via a cyclic freezing and thawing method. For comparison, the composite hydrogels using spherical BN nanoparticles i.e. BN nanospheres (BNNSs) as fillers were also prepared. The mechanical properties, thermal stabilities and swelling behaviors of the composite hydrogels were investigated in detail. Our study indicates that the mechanical properties of the hydrogels can be improved by adding of BNNFs. After loading of BNNFs into PVA with content of 0.5?wt%, the compressive strength of the composite hydrogel increases by 252% compared with that of pure PVA hydrogel. The tensile performance of BNNFs/PVA composite hydrogels has also been improved. Impressive 87.8% increases in tensile strengths can be obtained with 1?wt% BNNFs added. In addition, with the increase of BNNFs content, the thermal stability and the swelling ratio of hydrogels are increased gradually. The swelling ratio of hydrogel increases by 56.3% with only 1?wt% BNNFs added. In comparison, the improvement effects of the BNNS fillers on the mechanical strengths and swelling ratios are much weaker. The enhanced effects of BNNFs can be ascribed to the strong hydrogen bond interaction between BNNFs and PVA. The high aspect ratios of the nanofibers should also be took into account.     

Enhanced electrical conductivity and structural,mechanical characterization of standalone poly(vinyl alcohol)-graphite nanoplatelets composite films

Polymer based nanocomposites are gaining attention in various fields of science and technology due to its tunable properties. In this work, we report for the first time, the preparation and study on electrical and mechanical properties of standalone poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) based graphite nanoplatelet (GnP) composite films using modified film casting technique. Our modified tape casting method can produce films with uniform thickness, and uniform dispersion of filler deprived of pinholes. This technique is scalable for the mass production of polymer composite films for device application. We have obtained a significant enhancement in the electrical conductivity of 9 orders of magnitude and a maximum value of 0.143 S/m using PVA–GnP composites. To the best of our knowledge, this increase is the highest among the reported values for PVA–GnP composite films. However, a reduction in crystallinity and tensile strength can be seen with the addition of GnP fillers. The maximum tensile strength obtained for PVA–GnP composite films was 15 MPa and is adequate for use in electronic applications and devices. The effect of filler addition in PVA is discussed in detail.     

l-Phenylalanine amino acid functionalized multi walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) as a reinforced filler for improving mechanical and morphological properties of poly(vinyl alcohol)/MWCNT composite

Carbon nanotube dispersion in polymer matrix is one of the most crucially important aspects in carbon nanotube/polymer composites. This paper is aimed to discuss the considerable improvement in dispersion of multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) in poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) matrix that was attained through bio-functionalization of MWCNTs. Initially, for getting better dispersion in water, pure MWCNTs have been functionalized by l-phenylalanine amino acid. The functionalized MWCNTs (f-MWCNTs) show much enhanced solubility in water. So, effects of modified MWCNT on dispersion in PVA matrix and certain properties of the resulting composites, like; mechanical, thermal and morphological properties were studied. The prepared composites were examined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Also, the mechanical and thermal properties of composite films have been investigated and revealed that incorporation of just a few percent of f-MWCNTs can improve the PVA mechanical and thermal properties significantly.     

Thermoplastic polyvinyl alcohol/multiwalled carbon nanotube composites: Preparation,mechanical properties,thermal properties,and electromagnetic shielding effectiveness

This study uses the solution mixing method to combine plasticized polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as a matrix, and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as reinforcement to form PVA/MWCNTs films. The films are then laminated and hot pressed to create PVA/MWCNTs composites. The control group of PVA/MWCNTs composites is made by incorporating the melt compounding method. Diverse properties of PVA/MWCNTs composites are then evaluated. For the experimental group, the incorporation of MWCNTs improves the glass transition temperature (T_g), crystallization temperature, T_c), and thermal stability of the composites. In addition, the test results indicate that composites containing 1.5 wt % of MWCNTs have the maximum tensile strength of 51.1 MPa, whereas composites containing 2 wt % MWCNTs have the optimal electrical conductivity of 2.4 S/cm, and electromagnetic shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) of ?31.41 dB. This study proves that the solution mixing method outperforms the melt compounding method in terms of mechanical properties, dispersion, melting and crystallization behaviors, thermal stability, and EMI SE. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43474.     

Electrospun PEO/rGO Scaffolds: The Influence of the Concentration of rGO on Overall Properties and Cytotoxicity

Reduced graphene oxide (rGO) is one of the graphene derivatives that can be employed to engineer bioactive and/or electroactive scaffolds. However, the influence of its low and especially high concentrations on scaffolds’ overall properties and cytotoxicity has yet to be explored. In this study, polyethylene oxide (PEO)-based scaffolds containing from 0.1 to 20 wt% rGO were obtained by electrospinning. Morphological, thermal and electrical properties of the scaffolds were characterized by SEM, Raman spectroscopy, XRD, DSC and electrical measurements. The diameter of the fibers decreased from 0.52 to 0.19 µm as the concentration of rGO increased from 0.1 wt% to 20 wt%. The presence of rGO above the percolation threshold (5.7 wt%) resulted in a significantly reduced electrical resistivity of the scaffolds. XRD and Raman analysis revealed delamination of the graphene layers (interlayer spacing increased from 0.36 nm to 0.40–0.41 nm), and exfoliation of rGO was detected for the samples with an rGO concentration lower than 1 wt%. In addition, an evident trend of increasing cell viability as a function of the rGO concentration was evidenced. The obtained results can serve as further guidance for the judicious selection of the rGO content incorporated into the PEO matrix for constructing electroactive scaffolds.     

Preparation and crystallization behavior of multiwalled carbon nanotubes/poly(vinyl alcohol) nanocomposites

The poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)‐based nanocomposites embedded with modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were prepared. To enhance the interfacial interaction between MWCNTs and PVA, acid‐treated MWCNTs were grafted with PVA chains, compatibilizing MWCNTs and the matrix. The better dispersion of MWCNTs in PVA matrix was obtained by the introduction of MDI reaction bridges and then PVA molecules onto the surface of MWCNTs. Moreover, strong interaction between MWCNTs and PVA matrix was evidenced through the measurement results of the melting behavior, polarized Raman measurement, and nonisothermal crystallization behavior of the nanocomposites. Owing to the reinforcement of MWCNTs, the tensile strength and modulus of PVA nanocomposite containing 0.9 wt% MWCNTs were increased by 160.7 and 109.2%, respectively, compared to neat PVA. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Improvement of polyvinyl alcohol/casein blend film properties by adding cellulose nanocrystals

This study aims to prepare and examine the properties of poly(vinyl alcohol)/casein (PVA/CAS) based films reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals (NC), which can be presented as an alternative to petroleum-based polymer packaging materials. PVA/CAS and 0.5–1–3–5 wt% NC containing PVA/CAS biocomposite films were prepared by solution casting method. Afterward, the 1NC film, which exhibited the best mechanical properties, was crosslinked with various amounts of glyoxal. Structural, morphological (polarized optical microscope), mechanical (tensile), thermal (differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis), contact angle, and water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) properties of the samples were investigated. The 1NC film exhibited the highest tensile strength (TS) and elongation values in PVA/CAS/NC films, and its mechanical properties decreased due to agglomeration with increasing NC amount. As expected, crosslinking improved the TS. The thermal stability of the PVA/CAS film was generally improved with the addition of NC and crosslinking. The high WVTR value of the PVA/CAS film decreased with the addition of NC and the 1NC film presented the lowest value. Thanks to the complex structure formed as a result of crosslinking and the reduced free volume, the WVTR of the 1NC film has reduced. The results showed that PVA/CAS-based films with good mechanical properties and water vapor barrier are promising as packaging materials.     

Multiwall carbon nanotubes enhance the fatigue performance of physiologically maintained methyl methacrylate-styrene copolymer

The introduction of multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-polymer composites ushered in fresh opportunities for engineering new materials with high performance capabilities. The nanoscale dimensions and extraordinary properties of MWCNTs directly address the sub-micron damage mechanisms (such as crazing) that culminate during the fatigue failure of most polymers. The large traditional graphite fibers commonly used in composite materials do little to address these microscopic mechanisms of cyclic deformation; thus, MWCNTs offer new promise for improving the fatigue performance of polymer systems where the previous successes of traditional graphite fibers were limited. To test this theory, small amounts (0-10 wt%) of MWCNTs were added to methyl methacrylate-styrene copolymer (MMA-co-Sty), a chief component of commercial bone cement. The resulting nanocomposites were tested to failure in fully reversed tension-compression fatigue in a 37 °C saline environment. Testing at 20 MPa peak stress showed that adding 2 wt% and 5 wt% MWCNTs enhanced the fatigue performance of MMA-co-Sty by 565% and 592%, respectively. These results clearly demonstrate that MWCNTs can substantially enhance the fatigue performance of this polymer. Furthermore, a comparison of these results with the literature shows that MWCNTs are better candidates than traditional graphite fibers for improving the fatigue performance of polymer systems.     

Fabrication and properties of clay-supported carbon nanotube/poly (vinyl alcohol) nanocomposites

Clay-supported carbon nanotubes (Cs-CNTs) were used as novel nanofillers to improve the thermal and mechanical properties of a polymer. Cs-CNT/poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanocomposite films were successfully fabricated, and their relative properties were investigated by using differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and dynamic mechanical analysis. Experimental results showed that the thermal stability and dynamic mechanical properties of PVA were remarkably enhanced by incorporating the Cs-CNTs into PVA matrix. The largest T_g difference of 14°C was obtained between pure PVA and PVA nanocomposite with 7 wt% Cs-CNTs. Moreover, the storage modulus of PVA was significantly improved by 133% at 50°C, when 7 wt% Cs-CNTs was added to PVA matrix. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Carbon nanotube/polymer nanocomposites: A study on mechanical integrity through nanoindentation

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are under intense investigation in materials science owing to their potential for modifying the mechanical proprieties of their composites. In this work, nanomechanical and nanotribological properties of polymer composites, reinforced with multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), have been studied using the nanoindentation and nanoscratch technique. In particular, three different epoxy resins reinforced using several percentage of two different types of MWCNTs have been studied (range 0–7 wt%). Another resin was reinforced using MWCNTs (range 0–2.5 wt%) and SWCNTs (range 0–5 wt%) as fillers. Hardness and elastic modulus using nanoindenter instrument have been evaluated, while the coefficient of friction of the nanocomposites is obtained using nanoscratch. The results show an evident dependence with the percentage of CNTs. For all types of resins, an optimum in nanomechanical properties is found at intermediate levels of CNTs filling. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:1432–1446, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Aligned three-dimensional microstructures of conducting polymer composites

The composites of polypyrrole (PPy) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) with aligned 3-dimensional (3D) microstructures have been fabricated via vapor deposition polymerization (VDP) of pyrrole onto the microstructured composites of PVA and FeCl₃ (PVA-FeCl₃) formed by directional freezing. In these composites, the microstructures of PVA act as the frameworks and the conducting polymer components provide the materials with conductive function. The composites are foam-like with low weight density. However, they have good mechanical properties, and can be easily mechanically processed into various desired shapes. The apparent conductivity of the composite containing 20 wt% PPy was measured to be approximately 0.1 S cm⁻¹. The ammonia gas sensor based on this 3D composite exhibited high sensitivity. The strategy developed here can be extended to fabricate the 3D microstructured conductive composites by using other conducting polymers or water-soluble polymers.     

Effect of carbon nanotube dispersion on electrochemical and mechanical characteristics of poly(methyl methacrylate)‐based gel polymer electrolytes

Polymer‐based electrolyte of lithium ion batteries and other devices have shortcomings of low ionic conductivity and inadequate mechanical strength. The study presents the preparation of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)‐based three‐layered nanocomposite gel polymer electrolytes (NCGPEs) having multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) dispersed in the middle layer of the composites and the effect of dispersoid quantities on the ionic, mechanical, and thermal characteristics of the electrolytes. The NCGPEs were synthesized by solution cast process with the various MWCNTs contents of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 wt%. Morphology of the NCGPEs has been observed by scanning and transmission electron microscopes (SEMs). Interactions between the constituents of the composite and structural changes of the base polymer were investigated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The mechanical strength of the NCGPEs increases considerably owing to the dispersion of MWCNTs and the highest strength was found for the dispersion of 2.0 wt% of MWCNTs. The thermal stability of the nanocomposites was investigated by thermo‐gravimetric analysis (TGA). The chemical decomposition temperature of the nanocomposites increases considerably as compared to the gel polymer electrolyte. Ionic conductivity of the composite electrolyte increases with the increase in addition of MWCNTs and the maximum ionic conductivity (10⁻³ S cm⁻¹) of the nanocomposite has been found with the dispersion of 2.0 wt% MWCNTs among all the dispersoid. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:1936–1944, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers