Temperature and time dependence of electrical resistivity in an anisotropically conductive polymer composite with in situ conductive microfibrils

An anisotropically conductive polymer composite (ACPC) based on conductive carbon black (CB) and binary polymer blend of polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was successfully fabricated under shear and elongational flow fields. The PET phase formed in situ the aligned conductive microfibrils whose surfaces were coated by CB particles. This ACPC material exhibited a strong electrical anisotropy within a broad temperature range. When the ACPC samples were subjected to isothermal treatment (IT), they showed anomalous variations of the positive temperature coefficient (PTC) and negative temperature coefficient (NTC) effects. The PTC intensity was attenuated gradually with the increase of the IT time, and the NTC intensity was nearly eliminated after IT of 8 or 16 h. Beyond 16 h, the resistivity in the NTC region rose anomalously with the temperature after the elimination of NTC effect, which was the result of much transformation from the potential pathways to the intrinsic pathways due to the disordering of oriented conductive microfibrils. When the amount of potential pathways was very small, the effect of the intrinsic pathway separation surmounts that of the potential pathways, leading to the anomalous resistivity increase in the NTC region. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Epoxy Composites Reinforced with Negative‐CTE ZrW2O8 Nanoparticles for Electrical Applications

The potential for incorporating negative‐CTE zirconium tungstate (ZrW₂O₈) nanoparticles in an epoxy matrix with the aim of developing epoxy/ZrW₂O₈ nanocomposites with tailored CTE values for electrical applications is investigated. The ZrW₂O₈/epoxy nanocomposites are prepared through incorporation of up to 20 vol% unfunctionalized nanoparticles or silane‐functionalized nanoparticles containing either epoxy or amine end groups. Improvements in thermomechanical and dynamic mechanical properties of the epoxy matrix are achived with no detrimental effect on the dielectric strength, which suggests that these nanocomposites could be viable candidates for a wide range of electrical applications.

     

Fabrication of High Performance Fly Ash/Mica/Poly(ether-ether-ketone) Hybrid Composites

This paper deals with the preparation and characterization of poly(ether-ether-ketone) (PEEK) fly ash mica hybrid composites containing filler 5:15, 10:10 and 15:5 fly ash mica combinations loading. The performances and properties of the resulting 20 wt% loading of fly ash mica/PEEK hybrid composites were examined. The resulting hybrid composites of 20 wt% fly ash and mica with varying combinations exhibit the optimum improvement of mechanical properties and dielectric strength. MDSC showed the decrease in the crystallization temperature (Tc) with varying combinations of fly ash and mica. The morphology of fly ash/mica/PEEK hybrid composites was studied by SEM.     

The conductivity behavior of multi‐component epoxy,metal particle,carbon black,carbon fibril composites

Following the previous studies of epoxy/silver conductive composites, a detailed investigation of the influence of ethylene glycol on the resulting resistivity of various composites was carried out. Ethylene glycol was found to have a catalytic effect on the curing process of the epoxy resin, verified by differential scanning calorimetry studies. The accelerated curing process diminishes settling of the metal particles and therefore results in better and more uniform conductivities. High temperature curing of the composites was found to have a similar effect on the conductivity. The conductivity behavior of some other composites, such as epoxy/nickel, epoxy/nickel/carbon fibrils, and epoxy/carbon black/carbon fibrils, were also studied. The structure–property relations were better understood through scanning electron microscopy observations. Silver and nickel particles were found to perform differently in the cured epoxy, showing different percolation concentrations and conductivity levels. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 85: 1706–1713, 2002     

Insights into the optical,magnetic and dielectric properties of some novel polysulfone/NiFe2O4 composite materials

Novel polysulfone (PSU)/NiFe₂O₄ nanocomposites with good magneto‐dielectric properties were prepared in a simple and cost‐effective manner. Nickel ferrite nanoparticles exhibit a cubic spinel phase without any impurity phases according to X‐ray diffraction characterization. Transmission electron microscopy images of the nanoparticles showed a tetragonal particle shape with average particle size of 17–30 nm. The thermal stability of PSU proved to remain unaffected by nanoparticle concentration in the composite material. The emission spectra of the PSU/NiFe₂O₄ nanocomposites present a broad emission band located at 370 nm due to free exciton recombination. The composites exhibit hysteresis loops of a ferrimagnetic nature and good dielectric properties. Coercivity value measured at room temperature is 20.64 and 24.98 Oe and the squareness (M_r/M_s) is 0.290 and 0.225 for both polymer composite samples (4 and 24 vol% Ni ferrite). The formalism of the dielectric loss has been used to estimate the dipolar relaxations expressed by γ‐ and β‐relaxation processes. The presence of Ni ferrite nanoparticles in the PSU matrix increases the activation energy of secondary relaxations, which means a reduction of the molecular mobility in the nanocomposites as compared to PSU. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry     

Ultrasonic-Assisted Method for the Preparation of Carbon Nanotube-Graphene/Polydimethylsiloxane Composites with Integrated Thermal Conductivity,Electromagnetic Interference Shielding,and Mechanical Performances

Due to the rapid development of the miniaturization and portability of electronic devices, the demand for polymer composites with high thermal conductivity and mechanical flexibility has significantly increased. A carbon nanotube (CNT)-graphene (Gr)/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite with excellent thermal conductivity and mechanical flexibility is prepared by ultrasonic-assisted forced infiltration (UAFI). When the mass ratio of CNT and Gr reaches 3:1, the thermal conductivity of the CNT-Gr(3:1)/PDMS composite is 4.641 W/(m·K), which is 1619% higher than that of a pure PDMS matrix. In addition, the CNT-Gr(3:1)/PDMS composite also has excellent mechanical properties. The tensile strength and elongation at break of CNT-Gr(3:1)/PDMS composites are 3.29 MPa and 29.40%, respectively. The CNT-Gr/PDMS composite also shows good performance in terms of electromagnetic shielding and thermal stability. The PDMS composites have great potential in the thermal management of electronic devices.     

Processing‐dependent high impact polystyrene/styrene‐butadiene‐styrene tri‐block copolymer/carbon black antistatic composites

The electrical resistivity and morphology of high impact polystyrene (HIPS)/styrene‐butadiene‐styrene triblock copolymer (SBS)/carbon black (CB) blends were studied. Their antistatic sheets were prepared by both compression‐molding and extrusion calendaring process, with their surface morphology observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The SEM images reveal better dispersion of CB achieved in extrusion‐calendering, resulting in low percolation threshold values in HIPS composites. Higher compression ratio and higher drawing speed (corresponding lower sheet thickness) are beneficial to get better CB dispersion, leading to decreased conductivity for the antistatic sheets. SEM images indicate that strong shear forces in extrusion tend to break the conductive network of CB, resulting in increased surface resistivity. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Preparation,Characterization, and Dielectric Properties of PP/CaTiO3 Composites for Microwave Substrate Applications

Calcium titanate (CaTiO₃) filled polypropylene (PP) composites have been fabricated through compression molding method. The phase purity of the PP/CaTiO₃ composites was studied using X‐ray diffraction studies. Scanning electron microscopy technique has been employed to study the dispersion of the particulate filler in the PP matrix. The dielectric constant and loss tangent of the composites were measured at X‐band frequency region using waveguide cavity perturbation technique. PP/CaTiO₃ composite has an effective dielectric constant of 11.74 and loss tangent 0.007 at optimum filler loading. The experimental dielectric constant of filled composites was compared with theoretically predicted dielectric constant values obtained using different modeling approaches. The linear coefficient of thermal expansion of PP/CaTiO₃ composites was studied using thermomechanical analyzer.     

全钒液流电池用SPEEK／PES共混膜的制备

通过将PES掺入高磺化度的SPEEK进行共混改性,采用流延法制备了一系列不同PES含量的SPEEK／PES共混膜,获得了SPEEK／PES共混膜的离子交换容、含水率、质子电导率等参数,特别测定了在全钒液流电池工作条件下钒（IV）离子渗透率。综合考察发现,当磺化温度为45℃,磺化时间控制为4h,得到SPEEK的DS为55％,掺入10％的PES,此时共混膜的电导率为0．08S／cm,钒（IV）离子渗透率为0．38×10^-6cm2／min,对钒（IV）离子选择性为Nation膜的5倍,含水率为35％,共混膜综合性能最好,基本满足全钒液流电池（VRB）的使用需求。     

Submicron copper‐low‐density polyethylene conducting composites: Structural,electrical, and percolation threshold

Copper‐embedded low‐density polyethylene (LDPE) composites were fabricated using different copper concentrations in the polymer matrix. The copper particles were spherical with a mean particle size between 200 and 300 nm. All the samples were compacted under pressure and melted. The LDPE matrix was analyzed using gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and it did not evidence degradation of the LDPE matrix. The microstructure of the composites was examined with scanning electron microscopy. The electrical conductivity was measured as a function of the copper content, and the composite fabricated with a 10 vol % copper presented a conductivity 15 orders of magnitude higher than that of pure LDPE. The enhancement in conductivity can be explained by means of segregated percolation path theory and the experimental results are in agreement with the theoretical law. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006     

The effect of graphene flake size on the properties of graphene-based polymer composite films

In this work, the role of graphene flake size on the properties of poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP) composites was studied. Graphene flakes were added to PVDF-HFP using a solution mixing and molding process. By increasing graphene particle size and its concentration in the composites, higher electrical conductivity, in-plane thermal conductivity, and elastic modulus were achieved. Maximum tensile strength was obtained for the composites with average graphene flake size of 2, 5, and 7 μm at graphene concentrations of 10 wt%, 5 wt%, and 20 wt%, respectively. Thick flexible composite films (0.2–0.4 mm) with ultra-high in-plane electrical conductivity (~4500 S/m), in-plane thermal conductivity (~26 W/m/K), and tensile strength (~50 MPa) were obtained for the samples containing the graphene flakes with a larger average particle size of 7 μm. To our knowledge, the first two values are larger than any other values reported in the literature for PVDF-based composites.     

Co-PP/EPDM Blend Optimization Using D-Optimal Design for Medical Applications

This work focuses on the optimization and identification of blend with balanced mechanical properties of Co-PP/EPDM. The blending factors include time, temperature, screw speed, and blend ratio. Tensile strength and elongation at break were studied as the two responses. D-Optimal model was used to fit the regression line, which was validated using analysis of variance and “lack of fit” test. An average error of 10% (for tensile strength) and 3.2% (for elongation at break) was observed between the actual and predicted values. Further, the thermal stability, dynamic mechanical analysis, and phase morphology of the optimized blend were also investigated.     

Defect Equilibria and Transport in YBa2Cu3O7-x at Elevated Temperatures: I, Thermopower, Electrical Conductivity, and Galvanic Cell Studies

Studies of the Y-Ba-Cu-O system at elevated temperatures (300 to 1173 K) and under controlled oxygen activity (10² to 10⁵ Pa) were performed by using electrical methods such as thermopower, electrical methods such as thermopower, electrical conductivity, and emf of solid-state galvanic cell measurements. The discontinuities of measured electrical parameters demarcate regions of different properties and phenomena: (a) the transition between the range when the oxide sample is quenched on one side and the equilibrium range on the other side and (b) the transition between the quasi-metallic and semiconducting (m/s) regimes. The temperature of the m/s transition increases from 950 K at p o₂= 10² Pa to 1150 K at 10⁴ Pa. These data have served to derive a T-p o₂ diagram for YBa₂Cu₃O_7-x. NO discontinuity of the measured electrical parameters has been observed under conditions accompanying the phase transition between the tetragonal and orthorhombic structures. A p-n type transition has been observed within the semiconducting regime. Electrochemical oxygen titration has led to the determination of the relationship between the lattice oxygen content and the oxygen activity in the ambient gas atmosphere.     

Electrical Properties of Boron Nitride Matrix Composites: I, Analysis of McLachlan Equation and Modeling of the Conductivity of Boron Nitride–Boron Carbide and Boron Nitride–Silicon Carbide Composites

The McLachlan equation, which incorporates both effective medium models and percolation, was used to predict the volume fraction–conductivity relationships of insulator–conductor composites, and results were compared with experimental data. Two composite systems were investigated (BN–B₄C and BN–SiC). Both systems are anisotropic, because of the orientation of BN platelets perpendicular to the hot-pressing direction. For BN–B₄C composites, with increasing B₄C content, the ac and dc conductivities are relatively constant to ∼40% B₄C (the critical volume fraction). At this composition, the conductivity suddenly increases to a value closer to that of B₄C and then resumes a gradual increase. Little difference is seen for measurements made perpendicular or parallel to the hot-pressing direction, i.e., perpendicular or parallel to the BN platelets. Similar results are found for the BN–SiC composites, except that the critical volume fraction is ∼20% SiC in this case. The experimental curves are in good agreement with those predicted by the McLachlan equation. The parameters s and t of the McLachlan equation relate to the morphology of the phases present in the microstructure. The critical volume fraction relates to the connectivity of the phases in the composites.     

Epoxy/montmorillonite nanocomposites for improving aircraft radome longevity

The potential of nanoclay reinforcement to improve radome performance and longevity is quantified via a resonant technique. Epoxies used for radome applications are susceptible to environmental degradation through moisture absorption. Moisture in composite systems can degrade mechanical and dielectric properties, which is of particular concern in radome applications where low dielectric properties are crucial for maintaining radar transparency. The addition of nanoclay may prove a viable method for dielectric and structural performance improvement through moisture absorption minimization. The dielectric properties of an epoxy/montmorillonite nanocomposite are evaluated as a function of nanoclay weight percentage and moisture content using a split‐post dielectric resonator operating at 10 GHz. An increase of 25% in relative permittivity and 480% in loss tangent is observed for nanocomposites contaminated with 8.4% water by weight in the most extreme case. The addition of 2% nanoclay by weight effectively delayed a 16% degradation in relative permittivity by 760 hours. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42691.     

Effect of the mold temperature on the electrical properties of carbon-black-loaded polystyrene/SB block copolymer blends

The electrical resistivities of a carbon-black-filled styrene–butadiene block copolymer (SB) and their blends with polystyrene were measured as a function of carbon content for specimens compression-molded at 200 and 250°C. The insulator–conductor point transition was greatly influenced by the mold temperature. This behavior associated to the scanning electronic microscopy investigations suggests the presence of some amount of the filler at the interface. A strong interaction between the filler and the polymer was also observed. The formation of bound rubber and a coherent rubber–filler gel depend on the molding conditions and the carbon black content in the composites. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 69: 825–833, 1998     

Electrical Properties of Boron Nitride Matrix Composites: III, Observations near the Percolation Threshold in BN–B4C Composites

In this third paper of the series, we discuss the electrical resistivity of BN–B₄C composites with compositions ranging from 0% to 100% B₄C. After establishing the response of samples whose compositions lie far away from the percolation region, where effective medium models apply, we focus attention on samples with compositions at or near the percolation threshold (∼60% BN–40% B₄C). The large differences in electrical properties among samples with the same nominal composition can be explained by invoking a connectivity parameter. Since the difference in the electrical resistivity of BN and B₄C is about 9 orders of magnitude, the degree of connectivity of the two components at the percolation threshold determines the resultant composite resistivity. Connectivity in these composites was quantified by taking BN peak height ratios in X-ray diffraction patterns of all samples containing 60% BN–40% B₄C. The degree of preferred orientation of the BN platelets can be correlated with systematic increases in the electrical resistivity of the composites.     

Novel flexible electrically conductive adhesives from functional epoxy,flexibilizers, micro‐silver flakes and nano‐silver spheres for electronic packaging

In this study, five different flexibilizers were added into a matrix resin to improve the flexibility of electrically conductive adhesives (ECAs). The flexible ECAs were fabricated from the matrix resin and electrically conductive fillers. Their curing was fixed at 150 °C for 30 min. Of the five flexibilizers, 1,3‐propanediol bis(4‐aminobenzoate) (PBA) had the best effect on the electrical, mechanical and thermal properties of the ECAs. During curing, PBA reacted with the functional epoxy in the matrix resin. The soft ether segments in PBA were grafted into the crosslinked epoxy network to form an orderly spaced mesh structure. This led to high‐temperature stability, with the pyrolysis temperature being above 350 °C. Flexible ECAs with a 10% weight ratio of PBA in the matrix resin had the best properties. Their viscosity and bulk resistivity were the lowest. Their flexibility and electrical conductivity were the highest. They also had low storage modulus which could effectively dissipate or reduce the residual shear stress generated by the mismatch of thermal expansion coefficient between chip and substrate. Their impact strength was the lowest, and the toughening effect was so significant that the improvement was about 48% compared to ECAs. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry