Preparation and dielectric properties of poly(arylene ether nitrile) containing carboxyl groups/carbon nanotubes composites

Poly(arylene ether nitrile) (PEN)/carbon nanotubes (CNTs) hybrid films were prepared with different CNTs content (0–2.5 wt%) by solution blending method. The dispersion of CNTs can be improved by the functional groups, which is attributed to the pendent carboxyl groups on the PEN matrix itself. Namely, the carboxyl groups on the side-chain of PEN react with the hydroxyl groups of CNTs. Scanning electron microscope showed that the dispersion of the CNTs was enhanced by the carboxyl groups on the PEN. Differential scanning calorimetry and thermal gravimetric analyses experiments showed that the hybrid films exhibit a good thermal stability. The dielectric constant of the hybrid film with 2.5 wt% CNT content reaches 27 compared to 4 at pure PEN at 1 kHz. From room temperature to 150 °C, temperature variation over the range has a slight effect on the dielectric properties of the hybrid films. The dielectric constant of the hybrid film with 2.5 wt% CNT content reaches 30 compared to 5 at pure PEN at 150 °C. The results illustrate that the PEN/CNTs hybrid films are good dielectric materials, which is favorable for many industrial applications.