Integration of PDA Chemistry and Surface‐Initiated ATRP to Prepare Poly(methyl methacrylate)‐Grafted Carbon Nanotubes and Its Effect on Poly(vinylidene fluoride)–Carbon Nanotube Composite Properties

Poly(methyl methacrylate)‐grafted carbon nanotubes (PMMA@MWCNTs) are nondestructively prepared via the integration of mussel‐inspired polydopamine (PDA) chemistry and the surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) method. The structures and properties of the poly(vinylidene fluoride)‐based (PVDF‐based) nanocomposites filled with pristine MWCNTs and PMMA@MWCNTs are investigated. The results show that the encapsulation of PMMA on the MWCNTs surface not only improves the dispersibility of MWCNTs in the PVDF matrix but also enhances the interfacial interaction between MWCNTs and PVDF. The addition of PMMA@MWCNTs nanofillers to PVDF can effectively induce the crystal structure of PVDF to transform from the α‐phase to the β/γ ‐phase, and nearly 100% β/γ ‐phase PVDF formed when the nanofiller loading is higher than 5 wt%. Compared with the MWCNTs/PVDF composites, the PMMA@MWCNTs/PVDF composites exhibit obvious improvement in the percolation threshold because the PMMA shells hinder the direct contact of the MWCNTs. Moreover, the loss tangent of the PMMA@MWCNTs/PVDF composites is effectively suppressed due to the reduced leakage current in the composites and the enhanced interfacial strength between the nanofiller and the matrix.     

PVDF/BaTiO3/carbon nanotubes ternary nanocomposites prepared by ball milling: Piezo and dielectric responses

Nanocomposites based on poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) filled with barium titanate, BaTiO₃, (BT) particles, and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were prepared by high-energy ball milling (HEBM) and subsequent hot pressing. This method of materials preparation allowed obtaining uniform dispersions of the nanofillers. The influence of the particles on the polymer structure and morphology was studied. To understand the origin of changes in the PVDF properties, thermal and electrical behaviors of the PVDF/BT/MWCNT nanocomposites were studied as a function of composition. The addition of BT, MWCNT, or its mixture had not any influence on the PVDF polymorphism. However, calorimetric results pointed out that the presence of the nanofillers exerted nucleation mainly ascribed to the surface to volume ratio of the nanoparticles. The capacitance of the composites increased as the nanofiller content increased, being the effect mainly dependent on the surface to volume ratio of the nanoparticles. The dielectric behavior of the materials as a function of frequency was modeled by a Debye equivalent circuit only below the percolation threshold respect to the amount of MWCNT. The piezoelectric behavior of the ternary nanocomposites was highly affected by the incorporation of the nanofillers only when high dielectric losses occurred above the percolation threshold. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47788.     

VGCF填充PVDF/PMMA复合材料导电性能的研究

以气相生长碳纤维（VGCF）为导电填料,聚偏氟乙烯（PVDF）、聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯（PMMA）为基体制备复合型导电高分子材料。考察了填料用量、基体种类、配比以及PVDF结晶行为对复合材料导电性能的影响。结果表明,VGCF填充PMMA、PVDF、PVDF／PMMA（50／50）体系的渗滤阔值分别为5、4、3phr的填料用量。VGCF的加入会导致PVDF／PMMA体系发生微观相分离,而且VGCF会选择性富集在PVDF的非晶相中,所以PVDF／PMMA／VGCF体系的导电性呈现双重渗滤现象,该体系的体积电阻率不仅取决于富集相中VGCF的含量,而且还与PVDF相的连续性及其结晶行为密切相关。     

Fabrication of high‐k poly(vinylidene fluoride)/Nylon 6/carbon nanotube nanocomposites through selective localization of carbon nanotubes in blends

The morphology as well as the distribution of conductive fillers in conductive filler/polymer nanocomposites have a decisive effect on the dielectric properties of blend composites. In this study, the relationship between morphology and properties was carefully investigated and the underlying mechanism is discussed based on the microcapacitor model. Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were introduced into an immiscible poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)/polyamide 6 (Nylon 6) blend and the morphologies of PVDF/Nylon 6 were tailored by changing the weight ratio of PVDF to Nylon 6, varying from sea‐island morphology to co‐continuous morphology. Interestingly, the CNTs are selectively localized in the Nylon 6 phase in both sea‐island and co‐continuous morphological blends, which is due to the finer interaction between Nylon 6 and CNTs. In the sea‐island morphological blend only, a strong increase of the dielectric permittivity can be found when the content of CNTs is increased. It is surprising that no effects of CNTs on the dielectric properties can be found in the co‐continuous morphological blend. The CNT filled Nylon 6 domains in the sea‐island morphological blend act as a microcapacitor with improved charge accumulation and interfacial polarization, resulting in a marked increase in dielectric permittivity. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry     

Surface modification-based three-phase nanocomposites with low percolation threshold for optimized dielectric constant and loss

Integration of the excellent attributes of high dielectric constant and low dielectric loss in flexible polymer-based nanocomposites has attracted increased research attention because of their extensive applications in modern electronic and electric industry. In this study, to obtain the optimized dielectric constant and loss, the fabrication and properties of a three-phase nanocomposites, including poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and two nanofillers, namely, surface-modified multi-wall carbon nanotubes (mCNTs) and barium titanate nanoparticles (mBTs), are investigated in detail. The mCNTs and mBTs were obtained via the hydrolysis of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (AMEO) and condensation reactions between the AMEO and nanofillers. The three-phase nanocomposites are fabricated by a phase-separation and hot-pressing process. The mCNTs and mBTs can be uniformly dispersed within the PVDF polymer matrix because of the enhanced hydrogen bonding interaction and compatibility with the polymer matrix. The percolation threshold (as low as 0.50 vol%) of the two-phase mCNTs/PVDF nanocomposites is adopted to optimize the dielectric properties of the three-phase mCNTs/mBTs/PVDF nanocomposites. At the frequency of 10² Hz, a high dielectric constant of 109 and low loss of 0.06 are obtained for the three-phase nanocomposites with only 0.41 vol% mCNTs and 2.8 vol% mBTs, respectively. Meanwhile, owing to the low percolation threshold and enhanced surface compatibility between the nanofillers and PVDF, the tensile strength of the three-phase nanocomposites is greater than that of PVDF by a factor of greater than 1.5. Owing to their high dielectric constant, low dielectric loss and good mechanical properties, these PVDF-based ternary nanocomposites show potential for applications in electronic devices and energy storage systems.     

Fabrication and electrical properties of CNT/PP conductive composites with low percolation threshold by solid state alloying

The carbon nanotube/polypropylene conductive composites with a percolation threshold as low as 0.25 wt% were fabricated by solid state alloying. This solid state alloying method uses the super‐high speed mechanical shearing (at 10,000 rpm) to process the entangled catalytically grown carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and the polymer matrix in solid state. The electrical properties of the nanocomposites and the structure and distribution of CNTs were investigated. The results indicated that via the shear‐intensive process, CNTs were truncated and dispersed effectively, and their length could be controlled properly to fully exert the advantage of high aspect ratios (length‐to‐diameter ratios). At the same time, a linear structure conductive network which may considerably lower the percolation threshold was also formed by this method. Moreover, the CNTs could be further dispersed under the action of thermo energy provided by increasing the processing temperature. The super‐high speed solid state alloying method is a favorable approach for the production of low percolation threshold conductive composites of CNTs filled high viscosity resins. POLYM. COMPOS., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Investigation of electrical,mechanical, and thermal properties of functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes‐reduced graphene Oxide/PMMA hybrid nanocomposites

Electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties of the poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) composites containing functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (f‐MWCNTs) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) hybrid nanofillers have been investigated. The observed electrical percolation threshold of FHC is 0.8 wt% with maximum conductivity of 1.21 × 10^?3 S/cm at 4 wt% of f‐MWCNTs. The electrical transport mechanism and magneto resistance studied of hybrid composites have also been investigated. Progressive addition of f‐MWCNTs in rGO/PMMA composite results increase in mechanical (tensile strength and Young's modulus) and thermal (thermal stability) properties of f‐MWCNTs‐rGO/PMMA hybrid nanocomposites (FHC). The increased mechanical properties are due to the efficient load transfer from PMMA matrix to f‐MWCNTs and rGO through better chemical interaction. The strong interaction between PMMA and f‐MWCNTs‐rGO in FHC is the main cause for improved thermal stability. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:1075–1083, 2019. © 2019 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Electrically conductive polystyrene nanocomposites incorporated with aspect ratio-controlled silver nanowires

Polymer nanocomposites consisting of electrically conductive nanofillers with high aspect ratios are widely utilized for high-performance applications such as sensors and electronics. Silver nanowires (AgNWs) synthesized through polyol reduction have been reported to show excellent electrical conductivity, hydrophilicity, and high aspect ratios. In this study, the influence of the aspect ratios of the AgNWs on the rheological and electrical properties of the fabricated polystyrene (PS)/AgNW nanocomposites was chiefly investigated. The nanocomposites were made by combining a dispersion of AgNWs with a suspension of PS particles, followed by freeze-drying the PS/AgNW mixture harnessing the latex technology. Scanning electron microscopy, UV–Vis spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis were performed on the nanocomposites to investigate the morphological, optical, and thermal properties, respectively; in addition, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was performed to examine the hydrophilic polymer poly(vinylpyrrolidone)-capped AgNW surfaces. The rheological behavior of the nanocomposites changed from liquid-like to solid-like after the addition of AgNWs with high aspect ratios. The electrical percolation threshold of the AgNWs in the nanocomposites was determined by the aspect ratio of the nanofiller rather than by its length. Thus, the various properties of the PS/AgNW nanocomposites could be tuned by tailoring the aspect ratios of the AgNWs. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47927.     

A new approach to determine rheological percolation of carbon nanotubes in microstructured polymer matrices

We demonstrate the rheological percolation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in microstructured polymer matrices. Polymer/CNT composites are fabricated from polycarbonates with different molecular weights to diversify the microstructures, which vary with the polymer radius of gyration and entanglements. We propose a model for the dispersion of CNTs in polymer matrices, which explains the electrical and rheological properties. The percolation theory represented by a power–law relation cannot account for the rheological percolation of CNTs in this work. Therefore, we investigate the crossover points to provide a quantitative indication of the rheological percolation threshold of nanofillers in polymer matrices. For the first time, the rheological percolation threshold is determined experimentally with this definition. The effects of molecular weight and shear viscosity of the medium on the percolation of CNTs are demonstrated separately.     

Improved dispersion of carbon nanotubes in poly(vinylidene fluoride) composites by hybrids with core–shell structure

Core–shell structure hybrids of carbon nanotubes (CNTs)/BaTiO₃ (H‐CNT‐BT) and commercial multi‐wall CNTs are respectively incorporated into poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) for preparing the composites near the percolation thresholds. A comprehensive investigation for CNT's dispersion and composite's conductivity is conducted between H‐CNT‐BT/PVDF and CNT/PVDF at different depths vertical to the injection's direction. Gradual increases of the conductivity in two composites are observed from the out‐layer to the core part which infers an inhomogeneous CNT's dispersion in the interior of composites due to their migration under flow during the injection. However, the use of H‐CNT‐BT fillers with core–shell structure enables to reduce this inhomogeneous dispersion in the composite. Furthermore, the conductive network of CNTs in H‐CNT‐BT/PVDF is less sensitive to the thermal treatment than the one in CNT/PVDF composite, which infers the core–shell structure of hybrids can ameliorate the sensitivity of the conductive network. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 45693.     

Morphology and physical properties of nanocomposites based on poly(methyl methacrylate)/poly(vinylidene fluoride) blends and multiwalled carbon nanotubes

Nanocomposites of blends of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were prepared by melt mixing and hot press molding followed by quenching or annealing (120°C, 24 h). PMMA‐rich nanocomposites showed higher electrical conductivity than PVDF‐rich samples at identical CNT loading. At a specific composition, the quenched nanocomposites showed electrical conductivity values three to four orders of magnitude higher than those observed in annealed samples. Measurement of the dielectric constants also supported the electrical conductivity results. In the annealed samples, agglomerated CNTs located mainly in the PVDF crystalline phase were observed. Addition of CNTs promoted the crystallization, and especially, the formation of β‐crystals, which was confirmed by X‐ray diffraction. The thermal behavior of nanocomposites from differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis was explained in terms of the three‐phase model involving the presence of the rigid amorphous fraction, the mobile amorphous fraction, and the crystalline phase. POLYM. COMPOS., 36:1195–1204, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

微层共挤CPS-HI/PS-HI复合材料结构对储能密度的影响

利用传统共混挤出方法制备了3%碳纳米管(CNTs)含量的高抗冲聚苯乙烯(PS–HI)/CNTs复合材料,利用自制的微纳层叠共挤出装置制备了具有交替层状结构的CNTs填充高抗冲聚苯乙烯(CPS–HI)/PS–HI复合材料,层数分为2,8,32,128层,其中CPS–HI层CNTs的含量为6%,对PS–HI/CNTs和CPS–HI/PS–HI两种复合材料进行对比,研究了复合材料的交替层状结构对储能密度的影响。结果表明,CPS–HI层与PS–HI层呈连续交替层状分布,微层厚度均匀一致,微层界面良好,且CNTs的分散性随着层数的增加得到提高。CPS–HI/PS–HI复合材料由于微层界面的增多,有助于积累更多的电荷,显著提高了交替层状复合材料的介电常数,而纯PS–HI层作为绝缘层阻断了厚度方向上导电网络和击穿通道的形成,因此在较高的频率(105 Hz)下仍然能够保持低的介电损耗,且获得较高的击穿场强。CPS–HI/PS–HI复合材料的储能密度远远大于普通挤出成型PS–HI/CNTs复合材料的储能密度,比纯PS–HI的储能密度提高了3.3倍。     

A facile route to develop electrical conductivity with minimum possible multi‐wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) loading in poly(methyl methacrylate)/MWCNT nanocomposites

Today, we stand at the threshold of exploring carbon nanotube (CNT) based conducting polymer nanocomposites as a new paradigm for the next generation multifunctional materials. However, irrespective of the reported methods of composite preparation, the use of CNTs in most polymer matrices to date has been limited by challenges in processing and insufficient dispersability of CNTs without chemical functionalization. Thus, development of an industrially feasible process for preparation of polymer/CNT conducting nanocomposites at very low CNT loading is essential prior to the commercialization of polymer/CNT nanocomposites. Here, we demonstrate a process technology that involves in situ bulk polymerization of methyl methacrylate monomer in the presence of multi‐wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and commercial poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) beads, for the preparation of PMMA/MWCNT conducting nanocomposites with significantly lower (0.12 wt% MWCNT) percolation threshold than ever reported with unmodified commercial CNTs of similar qualities. Thus, a conductivity of 4.71 × 10^?5 and 2.04 × 10^?3 S cm^?1 was achieved in the PMMA/MWCNT nanocomposites through a homogeneous dispersion of 0.2 and 0.4 wt% CNT, respectively, selectively in the in situ polymerized PMMA region by using 70 wt% PMMA beads during the polymerization. At a constant CNT loading, the conductivity of the composites was increased with increasing weight percentage of PMMA beads, indicating the formation of a more continuous network structure of the CNTs in the PMMA matrix. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy studies revealed the dispersion of MWCNTs selectively in the in situ polymerized PMMA phase of the nanocomposites. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Joule effect self-heating of epoxy composites reinforced with graphitic nanofillers

Self-heating of conductive nanofilled resins due to the Joule effect is interesting for numerous applications, including computing, self-reparation, self-post-curing treatment of resins, fabrication of adhesive joints, de-icing coatings and so on. In this work, we study the effect of the nature and amount of graphitic nanofiller on the self-heating of epoxy composites.The addition of graphitic nanofillers induced an increase in the thermal conductivity of the epoxy resins, directly proportional to the nanofiller content. Percolation was not observed because of the heat transport through phonons. In contrast, the electrical conductivity curves present a clear percolation threshold, due to the necessity of an electrical percolation network. The electrical threshold is much lower for composites reinforced with carbon nanotubes (CNTs, 0.1 wt.%) than for the resin filled with graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs, 5 %). This fact is due to their very different specific areas.The composites filled with CNTs reach higher temperatures than the ones reinforced with GNPs, applying low electrical voltage because of their higher electrical conductivity. In contrast, the self-heating is more homogeneous for the GNP/epoxy resins due to their higher thermal conductivity. It was also confirmed that the self-heating is repetitive in several cycles, reaching the same temperature when the same voltage is applied.     

Conductive network formation and electrical properties of poly(vinylidene fluoride)/multiwalled carbon nanotube composites: Percolation and dynamic percolation

Conductive network formation and its dynamic process for multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and carboxyl‐tethered MWNT (MWNT‐COOH) filled poly(vinylidene fluoride)(PVDF) systems were investigated. Based on real‐time tracing the variation of electrical resistivity of systems with isothermal treatment time, the conductive network formation was evaluated. It was found that the conductive network formation was temperature and time dependent. The percolation time, characterized at a certain annealing time where the electrical resistivity started to decrease drastically, decreased with the increase of the filler concentration or the annealing temperature. However, the values of the percolation time and the activation energy of conductive network formation for the PVDF/MWNT‐COOH system were higher than those of the PVDF/MWNT system, indicating that the interaction between MWNTs and PVDF molecules played an important role in the conductive network formation of the composites. Furthermore, a modified thermodynamic percolation model was proposed to predict the percolation time of PVDF/MWNT composites. It was found that the calculated results fit the experimental data very well. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Conducting property of carbon black filled poly(ethylene glycol)/poly(methyl methacrylate) composites as gas‐sensing materials

To reveal the role of crystalline polymers in carbon black (CB) filled amorphous polymer composites and improve the mechanical properties of composite films, CB/poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) composites were synthesized by polymerization filling in this work. The electrical conductive property and response to organic solvent vapors of the composites were investigated. The composites, characterized by a relatively low percolation threshold (～ 2.1 wt %), had lower resistivity than CB/PMMA composites prepared with the same method because of the different dispersion status of CB particles in the matrix polymer. The concentration and molecular weight of PEG notably influenced the electrical response of the composites against organic vapors. The drastic increase in the electrical resistance of the composites in various organic vapors could be attributed mainly to the swelling of the amorphous polymer matrix in the solvent but not to that of the crystalline polymer. These findings could help us to understand the conductive mechanism and electrical response mechanism of the composites as promising gas‐sensing materials. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2008     

Electrical conductivity and electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness of nano-structured carbon assisted poly(methyl methacrylate) nanocomposites

Nanostructured carbon-based polymeric nanocomposites are gaining research interest because of their cost-effectiveness, lightweight, and robust electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding performance. Till now, it is a great challenge to design and fabricate highly scalable, cost-effective nanocomposites with superior EMI shielding performance. Herein, highly scalable EMI shielding material with tunable absorbing behaviors comprising of low-budget ketjen black (K-CB) reinforced poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanocomposites have been prepared using simple solvent assisted solution mixing technique followed by hot compression technique. The morphological investigation revealed the homogeneous distribution of K-CB and strong interfacial interaction in PMMA matrix, which validated the strong reinforcement and other intriguing properties of the nanocomposites. The PMMA nanocomposites showed a low percolation threshold (2.79 wt%) and excellent electrical conductivity due to the formation of 3D conductive network like architecture within the polymer matrix. Specifically, the 10 wt% K-CB nanocomposite possessed a superior EMI shielding performance of about 28 dB for X-band frequency range. Further, a huge change in EMI shielding performance of PMMA nanocomposites is observed with varying thickness. The brand new K-CB decorated PMMA nanocomposites are expected to open the door for next-generation cost-effective EMI shielding materials for academic and industrial applications.     

Morphology, structure and properties of conductive PS/CNT nanocomposite electrospun mat

The morphologies and properties of Polystyrene (PS)/Carbon Nanotube (CNT) conductive electrospun mat were studied in this paper. Nanocomposite fibers were obtained through electrospinning of PS/Di-Methyl Formamide (DMF) solution containing different concentrations and types of CNTs. The dispersion condition of CNTs was correlated to morphologies and properties of nanocomposite fibers. A copolymer as an interfacial agent (SBS, Styrene-butadiene-styrene type) was used to modify the dispersion of CNTs in PS solution before electrospinning. The results showed that the presence of the copolymer significantly enhances CNT dispersion. The fiber diameters varied between 200 nm and 800 nm depending on CNT type, polymer concentration and copolymer. The final morphological study of the fibers showed that CNT addition caused a decrease in beads formation along fiber axis before percolation threshold. However, addition of CNTs above percolation increased the beads formation, depending on the dispersion condition. The presence of SBS modified the dispersion, reduced the fiber diameter and the number of bead structures. Electrical conductivity measurements on nanocomposite mats of 15-300 μm in thickness showed an electrical percolation threshold around 4 wt% MWCNT; while the samples containing SBS showed higher values of conductivities below percolation compared to the samples with no compatibilizer. Enhancement in mechanical properties was observed by the addition of CNTs at concentrations below percolation.     

Low percolation thresholds of electrical conductivity and rheology in poly(ethylene terephthalate) through the networks of multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Coagulation method was first used to prepare nanocomposites of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWNT) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET). The morphology of nanocomposites is characterized using transmission electronic microscopy and scanning electronic microscopy. A coating on MWNT by PET chains is observed by comparison of micrographs of purified MWNT and MWNT encapsulated by PET chains in the nanocomposites, and this coating is considered as evidence of interfacial interaction between MWNT and PET chains. Both electrical conductivity and rheological properties have been well characterized. With increasing MWNT loading, the nanocomposites undergo transition from electrically insulative to conductive at room temperature, while the melts show transition from liquid-like to solid-like viscoelasticity. The percolation threshold of 0.6 wt% (based on viscosity) for rheological property and 0.9 wt% for electrical conductivity has been found. The low percolation threshold results from homogeneous dispersion of MWNT in PET matrix and high aspect ratio of MWNT. The less rheological percolation threshold than electrical percolation threshold is mainly attributed to the fact that a denser MWNT network is required for electrical conductivity, while a less dense MWNT network sufficiently impedes PET chain mobility related to the rheological percolation threshold.     

Largely restricted nucleation effect of carbon nanotubes in a miscible poly(vinylidene fluoride)/poly(butylene succinate) blend

The crystallization behaviors of miscible poly(vinylidene fluoride)/poly(butylene succinate) (PVDF/PBS) and its blend composites with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) during non‐isothermal and isothermal processes were investigated. The results showed that CNTs acted as heterogeneous nucleation agents and further improved the nucleation ability of PBS and PVDF in blends. However, compared with the nucleation effects of CNTs in PBS/CNT or PVDF/CNT binary composites, the nucleation effect of CNTs in miscible PVDF/PBS was largely restricted and nucleation efficiency was lowered. A reasonable explanation about the restricted nucleation ability of CNTs was studied from the viewpoint of interfacial interactions between polymer components and CNTs, in which a preferential affinity of CNTs to PBS was found. Further combined with the preparation method, it is proposed that PVDF chains adsorbed on the CNT surface in the master batch were peeled off from the CNTs by incorporated PBS chains, due to the better interaction between PBS and CNTs. Finally, the PVDF chains at the interface were diluted by PBS, and most of the CNT surface was covered by PBS chains, giving rise to the nucleation of PBS on the CNTs. On the other hand, unremoved PVDF still adsorbed on the CNT surface and crystallized. Compared with PVDF/CNT and PBS/CNT binary composites, the nucleation density in the ternary composites was greatly lowered, resulting in restricted nucleation effects of CNTs. On the other hand, the preferable adsorption of PBS on CNTs induced an apparent phase fluctuation in the PVDF/PBS blend composites, which also reflected the selective adsorption of PBS on the CNT surface. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry