POSS‐based fluorinated azobenzene‐containing polymers: Photo‐responsive behavior and evaluation of water repellency

The photoresponsive polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) based fluorinated azobenzene‐containing polymers were prepared and characterized by NMR, FT‐IR, GPC, XRD, TG and UV–Vis spectra. The thermal property of the polymers was improved by the introduction of POSS cage. The trans‐cis photoisomerization of the polymers in solution was similar to that of the fluorinated azobenzene monomer and in accordance with the first‐order reaction kinetics equation within the first 250 seconds UV irradiation. The cotton fabrics coated with the polymers showed excellent water repellency and possessed switchable wettability under UV irradiation. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43540.     

Preparation of superhydrophobic surfaces by cauliflower‐like polyaniline

Cauliflower‐like polyaniline (PANI) was successfully prepared using an interfacial polymerization method. By modification with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) using chemical vapor deposition method, the surface wettability of cauliflower‐like PANI can be tailored to be superhydrophobic with a water contact angle of 160.4°. The deposition of the low‐surface‐energy silicon coating originated from PDMS pyrolysis on the cauliflower‐like PANI was confirmed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. The changes in thermal stability and conductivity of the as‐prepared PANI before and after PDMS treatment were also investigated by thermogravimetric analysis and using a four‐probe method. Compared with nanofiber‐shaped PANI by electrodepositing polymerization, the PDMS‐treated cauliflower‐like PANI has superior surface wettability. Our study may open a new way for fabrication of superhydrophobic surfaces by developing novel nanostructured PANI. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 39767.     

High temperature resistant silane/zirconium‐oxocluster hybrid copolymers containing “free” thiol/ene functionalities in the polymer matrix

Inorganic–organic hybrid copolymers are promising materials where the size of the inorganic/organic domains, the phase continuity and the interface between the domains play an important role in their behavior. Two types of hybrid copolymers composed of 3‐butynoate‐substituted zirconium‐oxoclusters covalently bonded to a (3‐mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane or a vinyltrimethoxysilane matrix are investigated in bulk. Their properties are directly correlated with the degree of condensation of the silanes and the alkyne‐3‐mercaptopropyl or alkyne‐vinyl interface. Both copolymers show storage moduli and glass‐transition temperatures (T_gG″) above 130 MPa and 230°C. However, the more impressive results are achieved with the (3‐mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane copolymer where a T_gG″ of about 300°C holds over six dynamical mechanical spectroscopy analyses. In addition to their excellent thermo‐mechanical proprieties, the copolymers show unreacted 3‐mercaptopropyl or vinyl groups which could be employed either in direct usage of the materials or for post‐functional modifications. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

A novel mono‐methacryloyloxy terminated fluorinated macromonomer used for the modification of UV curable acrylic copolymers

A novel macromonomer containing fluorinated units (PHFBMA‐GMA) was synthesized through a two‐step procedure: firstly, hexafluoro‐butyl methacrylate (HFBMA) was polymerized in the presence of functional chain transfer agent 3‐mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) and then the carboxyl acid group terminated polymer was end‐capped with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA). Chemical structures of PHFBMA‐GMA were characterized by gel permeation chromatography, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Subsequently, PHFBMA‐GMA was employed as reactive surface additives added into UV‐cured polyacrylate to modify UV‐curable coatings. It is convenient to control the tail length of the fluorinated segments in this study by adjusting the ratio of initiator and chain transfer agent. The influence of both the concentration and the molecular weight of PHFBMA‐GMA on the surface properties of UV‐cured films was investigated. With increasing both the concentration and the molecular weight of PHFBMA‐GMA, the surface energy of the UV‐cured films decreased. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy was employed to characterize and quantify the surface composition and the results confirm the enrichment of fluorinate atoms on the surface. Moreover, the physical properties of UV‐cured films, such as gel content, water absorption, pencil hardness, adhesion, chemical resistance, mechanical properties, optical transmittance, and thermal properties, were also investigated in detail. The novel macromonomer was economical but effective to modify the properties of the UV‐curable coatings. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 43116.     

Preparation and characterization of cardanol‐based epoxy resin for coating at room temperature curing

Novel organic solvent‐free bio‐based epoxy resin for coating was prepared from cashew nut shell liquid which is one of renewable resources. The epoxy coating was fabricated by the reaction between amine compounds and epoxy cardanol prepolymer (ECP). The drying, physical, and thermal properties of the epoxy were investigated and compared with those of the commercial cashew coating. The ECP was synthesized by thermal polymerization under the various conditions. Based on the FT‐IR analysis, hydroxyl and carbonyl groups were generated, and viscosity increased with increasing heating temperature and time. On the other hand, the NMR analysis showed decrease in the degree of unsaturation in the side group of cardanol. Based on these results, the polymerization of the ECP could be autoxidized in the unsaturated group in the side chains. The drying time until harden dry of the ECP coating took about 2.5 h at room temperature, which is faster than that of the commercial cashew coating. This is because that the curing of ECP coating was based on the prepolymer (i.e., high molecular weight) and crosslink reaction between epoxy and amine groups. The ECP coating was rubbery state due to the flexible side chains of cardanol. Furthermore, the ECP coating improved chemical stability compared with the commercial cashew. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 2468–2478, 2013     

Synthesis and characterization of hybrid films from hyperbranched polyester using a sol–gel process

Hybrid organic/inorganic materials were prepared by an in situ sol–gel process using tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) in the presence of hyperbranched polyester. The influences of hyperbranched polyester molar mass as well as the amount of TEOS were examined. The condensation degree was characterized by solid state ²⁹Si NMR. The combination of solubility tests, calcination tests, SAXS and dynamic mechanical analysis allowed us to investigate the hybrid material nanostructure. The results show high compatibility between the inorganic silica phase and the organic polymer phase, due to the spherical shape of the hyperbranched polymer and its numerous hydroxyl groups. As a consequence, a continuous inorganic phase was formed even with a low silica precursor content without any macroscopic phase separation. These hybrid materials have a high T_g and high storage modulus even at an elevated temperature combined with improved thermal stability. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 39830.     

Nano‐SiO2/PMMA‐PU composite particles with core‐shell structure via emulsion polymerization and their application in epoxy resin

A novel method of nano‐SiO₂/poly(methyl methacrylate)(PMMA)‐polyurethane(PU) composite particles modifying epoxy resin is reported. The composite particles with the obvious core‐shell structure were prepared by emulsion polymerization of PMMA and PU prepolymer on the surface of nano‐SiO₂. The diameter of the composite particles was 50–100 nm with dark core SiO₂ (30–60 nm) and light shell polymer of PMMA and PU (20–30 nm); moreover, PU was well distributed in PMMA with about 10 nm diameter. After nano‐SiO₂ was encapsulated by PMMA and PU, the Si content on the surface decreased rapidly to 2.08% and the N content introduced by PU was about 1.27%. The ratio of polymer to original nano‐SiO₂ (f_p), the grafting ratio of polymer to original nano‐SiO₂ (f_r) and the efficiency grafting ratio of polymer (f_e) were, respectively, about 116.7%, 104.4%, and 89.5%. The as‐prepared composite particles were an effective toughness agent to modify epoxy resin, and the impact strength of the modified epoxy resin increased to 46.64 kJ m^?2 from 19.12 kJ m^?2 of the neat epoxy resin. This research may enrich the field of inorganic nanoparticles with important advances toward the modification for polymer composite materials. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41919.     

High thermal conductive m‐xylylenediamine functionalized multiwall carbon nanotubes/epoxy resin composites

In this study, multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) functionalized by m‐xylylenediamine is used as thermal conductive fillers to improve their dispersibility in epoxy resin and the thermal conductivity of the MWNTs/bisphenol‐A glycidol ether epoxy resin composites. Functionalization with amine groups of MWNTs is achieved after such steps as carboxylation, acylation and amidation. The thermal conductivity, impact strength, flexural strength, and fracture surfaces of MWNTs/epoxy composites are investigated with different MWNTs. The results show that m‐xylylenediamine is successfully grafted onto the surface of the MWNTs and the mass fraction of the organic molecules grafted onto MWNTs is about 20 wt %. The thermal conductivity of MWNTs/epoxy composites is further enhanced to 1.236 W/mK with 2 wt % m‐MWNTs. When the content of m‐MWNTs is 1.5 wt %, the impact strength and flexural strength of the composites are 25.85 KJ/m², 128.1 MPa, respectively. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) results show that the fracture pattern of composites is changed from brittle fracture to ductile fracture. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41255.     

Hyperbranched polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (HB‐POSS) nanomaterials for high transmission and radiation‐resistant space and solar applications

Hyperbranched polycarbosiloxanes and polysiloxanes with octafunctional polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) branchpoints and curable alkoxysilane or silanol end‐groups were formulated with linear polysiloxanes to fabricate transparent and robust nanostructured POSS‐containing materials for use in a range of high performance space and solar applications. The effect of methyl vs. phenyl content, architecture and linear polysiloxane mass on transmission, thermal, physical, and proton, electron and UV radiation resistance properties was determined, and the physical properties of the nanomaterials were tailored to produce adhesives, or rigid or flexible coatings as desired. The methyl formulations showed superior electron resistance relative to a commercial space control material and to a POSS‐free HB polymer control material, even when directly exposed to radiation in coating form, whereas the phenyl formulations were shown to have inferior electron and UV resistance. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 3849–3861, 2013     

Low dielectric and high thermal conductivity epoxy nanocomposites filled with NH2‐POSS/n‐BN hybrid fillers

Hybrid fillers of mono‐amine polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane/nanosized boron nitride (NH₂‐POSS/n‐BN) were performed to fabricate NH₂‐POSS/n‐BN/epoxy nanocomposites. Results revealed that the dielectric constant and dielectric loss values were decreased with the increasing addition of NH₂‐POSS obviously, but increased with the increasing addition of BN fillers. For a given loading of NH₂‐POSS (5 wt %), the thermal conductivities of NH₂‐POSS/n‐BN/epoxy nanocomposites were improved with the increasing addition of n‐BN fillers, and the thermal conductivity of the nanocomposites was 1.28 W/mK with 20 wt % n‐BN fillers. Meantime, the thermal stability of the NH₂‐POSS/n‐BN/epoxy nanocomposites was also increased with the increasing addition of n‐BN fillers. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41951.     

Effects of different compatibilizers on the rheological,thermomechanical, and morphological properties of HDPE/LLDPE blend‐based nanocomposites

The influence of two different compatibilizers and their combination (maleic anhydride grafted high density polyethylene, HDPE‐g‐MA; maleic anhydride grafted linear low density polyethylene, LLDPE‐g‐MA; and 50/50 wt % mixture of these compatibilizers) on the rheological, thermomechanical, and morphological properties of HDPE/LLDPE/organoclay blend‐based nanocomposites was evaluated. Nanocomposites were obtained by melt‐intercalation in a torque rheometer in two steps. Masterbatches (compatibilizer/nanoclay 2:1) were obtained and subsequently diluted in the HDPE/LLDPE matrix producing nanocomposites with 2.5 wt % of nanoclay. Wide angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD), steady‐state rheological properties, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to determine the influence of different compatibilizer systems on intercalation and/or exfoliation process which occurs preferentially in the amorphous phase, and thermomechanical properties. The LLDPE‐g‐MA with a high melt index (and consequently low viscosity and crystallinity) was an effective compatibilizer for this system. Furthermore, the compatibilized nanocomposites with LLDPE‐g‐MA or mixture of HDPE‐g‐MA and LLDPE‐g‐MA exhibited better nanoclay's dispersion and distribution with stronger interactions between the matrix and the nanoclay. These results indicated that the addition of maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene facilitates both, the exfoliation and/or intercalation of the clays and its adhesion to HDPE/LLDPE blend. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 1726–1735, 2013     

Preparation and characteristics of polyacrylic ester‐based water‐free powder coatings in supercritical carbon dioxide

Powder coating for dry coating technique of paper as the promising method has attracted more and more attentions in recent years due to its advantages in reducing the dosage of water and saving energy compared with conventional coating. This study focused on the in situ polymerization of methyl methacrylate (PMMA) under a water‐free condition in supercritical carbon dioxide in the presence of inorganic kaolin. The effects of varying the concentrations of the monomer, initiator, and stabilizer on the molecular weight and morphology of the resultant PMMA were investigated and discussed. Then the powder coating was systematically evaluated and characterized by gel permeation chromatography, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Meanwhile, the feasibility of manufacturing PMMA/kaolin powder coatings was explored, and the mechanism of polymerization and the thermal degradation kinetics of powder coating were studied. The experimental results showed that the properties of PMMA as a film former were suitable with the molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution close to that in conventional coating when the concentration of monomer was about 10 wt %, concentration of initiator ～1–1.5 wt % and stabilizer about 10 wt % with respect to monomer. Moreover, the interfacial bonds and dispersion situation of polyacrylic ester‐based water‐free powder coating particles were fairly well, the powder coating possesses good film‐forming property combined with outstanding thermal‐stability performance. The combination of these characteristics makes PMMA/kaolin powder coating an excellent candidate for dry coating technique of paper applications. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42439.     

Synthesis and thiol–ene photopolymerization of (meth)allyl‐terminated polysulfides

Thiol‐terminated polysulfides (PS) are cured by mixing with an oxidant, resulting in limited shelf‐ and/or pot‐life, depending on whether formulated as a one‐ or two‐component system. Mixtures of thiol‐ and alkene‐terminated polysulfides offer the potential for an on‐demand curing process through thiol–ene photopolymerization. Thiol end groups of commercial polysulfides, PS‐1 (1000 g/mol) and PS‐2 (3000 g/mol), were converted to alkene by reaction with (meth)allyl bromide. Photopolymerizations were performed by irradiating films of equimolar thiol:ene mixtures at 320–500 nm (30 mW/cm²) in the presence of 5 wt % 2,2‐dimethoxy‐2‐phenyl‐acetophenone (DMPA). Reaction kinetics were measured using real‐time FTIR by monitoring absorbances at 3075 cm^?1 (alkene) or 2550 cm^?1 (thiol). In the absence of any reactive diluent, mixtures of thiol and alkene polysulfides failed to gel notwithstanding high reaction conversion (>90%). Partial or total replacement of the thiol polysulfide component with pentaerythritol tetrakis(3‐mercaptopropionate) (PETMP) yielded solid elastomeric films and ultimate reaction conversions of 80–96% after 5 min irradiation. Crosshatch adhesion measured on glass, aluminum, and steel was very poor (0B) for (meth)allyl PS‐1/PETMP and poor (2B) for (meth)allyl PS‐2/PETMP without adhesion promoters. (3‐Mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane (1 wt %) significantly improved adhesion of (meth)allyl PS‐2/PETMP on all substrates (4B) but yielded no improvement for (meth)allyl‐terminated PS‐1/PETMP. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134 , 45523.     

Silica–polyaniline hybrid materials prepared by inverse emulsion polymerization for epoxy‐based anticorrosive coating

Polyaniline doped with dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid (PAni.DBSA) was prepared by inverse emulsion polymerization of aniline in toluene medium in the presence of silica (SiO₂) nanoparticles. The presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) during the aniline polymerization results in hybrid material with smaller particle size, as indicated by dynamic light scattering analysis and scanning electron microscopy. Also the electrical conductivity of such hybrid is one order higher, as compared with that prepared without CTAB. Moreover, more ordered PAni chain is obtained as indicated by the red shift of the π–polaron transition band observed by UV–vis spectroscopy and higher crystallinity observed by X‐ray diffraction analysis. Anti‐corrosive properties of carbon steel substrate coated with epoxy resin containing 5 wt % of PAni.DBSA and the corresponding SiO₂‐based hybrid materials were evaluated in 3.5% NaCl solution by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The coating resistance increases by one order for the epoxy system containing PAni.DBSA/SiO₂ hybrid prepared in the presence of CTAB, thus confirming the anticorrosion efficiency of this hybrid. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45505.     

Self‐healing and interfacially toughened carbon fibre‐epoxy composites based on electrospun core–shell nanofibres

Dual components of a self‐healing epoxy system comprising a low viscosity epoxy resin, along with its amine based curing agent, were separately encapsulated in a polyacrylonitrile shell via coaxial electrospinning. These nanofiber layers were then incorporated between sheets of carbon fiber fabric during the wet layup process followed by vacuum‐assisted resin transfer molding to fabricate self‐healing carbon fiber composites. Mechanical analysis of the nanofiber toughened composites demonstrated an 11% improvement in tensile strength, 19% increase in short beam shear strength, 14% greater flexural strength, and a 4% gain in impact energy absorption compared to the control composite without nanofibers. Three point bending tests affirmed the spontaneous, room temperature healing characteristics of the nanofiber containing composites, with a 96% recovery in flexural strength observed 24 h after the initial bending fracture, and a 102% recovery recorded 24 h after the successive bending fracture. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44956.     

Surface modification of linear low‐density polyethylene film by amphiphilic graft copolymers based on poly(higher α‐olefin)‐graft‐poly(ethylene glycol)

In this article, a series of amphiphilic graft copolymers, namely poly(higher α‐olefin‐co‐para‐methylstyrene)‐graft‐poly(ethylene glycol), and poly(higher α‐olefin‐co‐acrylic acid)‐graft‐poly(ethylene glycol) was used as modifying agent to increase the wettability of the surface of linear low‐density polyethylene (LLDPE) film. The wettability of the surface of LLDPE film could be increased effectively by spin coating of the amphiphilic graft copolymers onto the surface of LLDPE film. The higher the content of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) segments, the lower the water contact angle was. The water contact angle of modified LLDPE films was reduced as low as 25°. However, the adhesion between the amphiphilic graft copolymer and LLDPE film was poor. To solve this problem, the modified LLDPE films coated by the amphiphilic graft copolymers were annealed at 110° for 12 h. During the period of annealing, heating made polymer chain move and rearrange quickly. When the film was cooled down, the alkyl group of higher α‐olefin units and LLDPE began to entangle and crystallize. Driven by crystallization, the PEG segments rearranged and enriched in the interface between the amphiphilic graft copolymer and air. By this surface modification method, the amphiphilic graft copolymer was fixed on the surface of LLDPE film. And the water contact angle was further reduced as low as 14.8°. The experimental results of this article demonstrate the potential pathway to provide an effective and durable anti‐fog LLDPE film. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Characterization and properties of LDPE film with gallic‐acid‐based oxygen scavenging system useful as a functional packaging material

We prepared and characterized active, oxygen‐scavenging, low density polyethylene (LDPE) films from a non‐metallic‐based oxygen scavenging system (OSS) containing 1, 3, 5, 10, and 20% of gallic acid (GA) and potassium chloride (PC). We compared the surface morphology and mechanical, permeability, and optical properties of the oxygen‐scavenging LDPE film with those of pure LDPE film. The surface morphology, gas barrier, and thermal properties indicate that the OSS was well incorporated into the LDPE film structure. The surface roughness of the film increased with the amount of oxygen scavenging material. The oxygen and water vapor permeability of the developed film also increased with the amount of oxygen scavenging material, though its elongation decreased. The oxygen scavenging capability of the prepared film was analyzed at different temperatures. The initial oxygen content (%) in the vial headspace, 20.90%, decreased to 16.6% at 4 °C, 14.6% at 23 °C, and 12.7% at 50 °C after 7 days of storage with the film containing 20% OSS. The film impregnated with 20% organic oxygen scavenging material showed an effective oxygen scavenging capacity of 0.709 mL/cm² at 23 °C. Relative humidity triggered the oxygen scavenging reaction. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 44138.     

Phosphonic acid‐containing polysulfones as anticorrosive layers

As a part of research work to elaborate polymeric materials for metal corrosion protection, we have developed a new family of phosphonic acid‐containing polymers. The synthesis and the characterization of polysulfones bearing alkyl phosphonate ester side groups are first described. These polymers are synthesized by direct polycondensation of a phosphonate ester‐containing bisphenol by aromatic nucleophilic substitution. The physicochemical properties of the resulting polymers are described. Acidic hydrolysis of phosphonate esters results in the formation of phosphonic acid groups. A series of phosphonic acid‐containing polysulfones is therefore obtained and characterized. A preliminary evaluation of the anticorrosive properties of these polymers is described. In 0.25M Na₂SO₄ solution, the corrosion rate of a polymer‐coated mild steel sample is much lower than of the free metal substrate. These results suggest that phosphonic acid‐containing polysulfones might be interesting as anticorrosive coatings. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41890.     

Silica/poly(styrene-alt-maleic anhydride) hybrid particles as a reactive toughener for epoxy resin

Amino-modified silica nanoparticles (SiO₂─NH₂) were first prepared by hydrolytic condensation of tetraethyl orthosilicate and 3-aminopropylmethyldiethoxysilane. Then, organic–inorganic hybrid particles (SiO₂─SMA) were prepared by the amidation reaction between SiO₂─NH₂ and poly(styrene-alt-maleic anhydride) (SMA). Subsequently, SiO₂─SMA particles were employed for modifying bisphenol-A epoxy/anhydride thermoset. Compared with pure cured epoxy, the modified epoxy thermosets with only 1 wt % of SiO₂─SMA particles could achieve a simultaneous toughening and reinforcing performance. The tensile strength, impact strength, and fracture toughness of epoxy thermoset were increased by 14.1, 44.3, and 114.4%, respectively. Moreover, the modification also improved the thermal stability of epoxy thermosets, and the modulus and glass transition temperature of cured resin were not sacrificed. It can be attributed to the rigid structure of SiO₂, as well as the anhydride and carboxyl groups onto the surface of SiO₂─SMA particles participating in the epoxy curing reaction and effectively enhancing the crosslinking density of epoxy thermoset.     

Poly(2,6‐di(thiophene‐2‐yl)‐3,5bis(4‐(thiophene‐2‐yl)phenyl)dithieno [3,2‐b;2',3'‐d]thiophene)/carbon nanotube composite for capacitor applications

A novel monomer, 2,6‐di(thiophene‐2‐yl)‐3,5bis(4‐(thiophene‐2‐yl)phenyl)dithieno[3,2‐b;2',3'‐d]thiophene ( Th₄DTT) has been synthesized and used as an electro‐active material. It has been electropolymerized onto glassy carbon (GC) electrode in sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) solution (0.1 M) together with multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). A good capacitive characteristics for P(Th₄DTT)/MWCNT composite has been obtained by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), which is, to our best knowledge, the first report on capacitor behavior of a dithienothiophene. A synergistic effect has been resolved by Nyquist, Bode‐magnitude—phase and admittance plots. Specific capacitance of the conducting polymer/MWCNT, calculated from cyclic voltammogram (CV) together with area and charge formulas, has been found to be 20.17 F g^?1. Long‐term stability of the capacitor has also been tested by CV, and the results indicated that, after 500 cycles, the specific capacitance is 87.37% of the initial capacitance. An equivalent circuit model of R_s(C₁(R₁(Q(R₂W))))(C₂R₃) has been obtained to fit the experimental and theoretical data. The double layer capacitance (C_dl) value of P(Th₄DTT)/MWCNT (4.43 mF cm^?2) has been found to be 25 times higher than P(Th₄DTT) (C_dl= 0.18 mF cm^?2). © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40061.