Engineered Conductivity in Polymer Nanocomposites Mr. Max D. Alexander, Ms.
Heather Dowty, and Mr. Brandon Black Abstract: This research
explores the use of a variety of nanoparticles to impart conductivity to
polymer matrices. We have chosen three highly promising families of
nanomaterials : multiwall carbon nanofibers, metal coated mutliwall carbon
nanofibers, and metal nanostrands for use as fillers. These materials were
dispersed in a variety of polymer systems including thermoplastic high
elongation elastomers, space durable polyimides, PEEK, polycarbonate, and
polystyrene. The aspect ratio of the nanomaterials ranged from 40 to 800
which lead to percolation thresholds below 0.5 volume percent with
ultimate conductivities on the order of 4000 S/cm.
The polymer nanocomposites systems retained the mechanical
robustness of the original systems in contrast to traditional highly
loaded macroscopically filled systems. The end products can be solution
cast, dip coated, extruded or sprayed using conventional processing
techniques. Examples of these systems, methods of fabrications, electrical
percolation, mechanical properties and potential uses will be discussed. Examples of materials examined are shown in the figures below.
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