Effect of Palmitic Acid on the Electrical Conductivity of Carbon Nanotubes−Epoxy Resin Composites

Sophie Barrau (1) , Philippe Demont (1) , Emile Perez (2) , Alain Peigney (1) , Christophe Laurent (1) , Colette Lacabanne (1)

1 CIRIMAT - Centre interuniversitaire de recherche et d'ingenierie des matériaux
2 IMRCP - Interactions moléculaires et réactivité chimique et photochimique

We found that the palmitic acid allows an efficient dispersion of carbon nanotubes in the epoxy matrix. We have set up an experimental protocol in order to enhance the CNTs dispersion in epoxy resin. Electrical conductivity is optimal using a 1:1 CNTs to palmitic acid weight ratio. The associated percolation threshold is found between 0.05 and 0.1 wt % CNTs, i.e., between 0.03 and 0.06 vol %. The SEM image shows essentially individual CNTs which is inagreement with conductivity measurements. In comparison with composites without palmitic acid, the use of palmitic acid improves the electrical properties of CNTs-epoxy resin composites.

Mots clés: Palmitic Acid; Electrical Conductivity; Carbon Nanotubes; Epoxy; Composites

Domaines: Matériaux; Matériaux

Sophie Barrau, Philippe Demont, Emile Perez, Alain Peigney, Christophe Laurent, et al.. Effect of Palmitic Acid on the Electrical Conductivity of Carbon Nanotubes−Epoxy Resin Composites. Macromolecules, 2003, vol. 36, pp. 9678-9680. ⟨10.1021/ma030399m⟩. ⟨hal-00920397⟩