Measuring the Electrical Properties of MWNT-PA6 Reinforced Nanocomposites

Abstract EN

The paper studies the electrical properties of polyamide 6- (PA6-) carbon nanotubes (CNTs) nanowebs, obtained through electrospinning.

Three different treatments (chemical, mechanical, and mixed) were applied to the CNT in order to prepare the electrospinning solutions.

For each treatment, the CNT content was different: 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, and 2%.

The electrical volume and surface conductivity of the obtained samples were studied by measuring their electrical volume and surface resistance.

Homemade plate electrodes were used.

The samples were also analyzed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and an atomic force microscope (AFM).

Defects were found on the extremities: solvent traces, flat fibers, and beads.

The mixed treatment seems too aggressive and it is not recommended.

The AFM analysis gave values for roughness and profile height (Ra and Rz): extreme values were obtained for the chemically and mechanically treated samples.

Next, a pristine PA6 sample was used to compare the influence of the CNT content on the electric behavior of the samples.

By increasing the pressure on the specimens, the volume resistivity decreased exponentially, while the surface resistivity showed no significant changes, independently of the CNT content.

The obtained behavior proves a great potential of the MWNT-PA6 reinforced nanocomposites for sensor applications.