Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Highly electrically conductive polymer composite with a novel fiber-based segregated structure

  • Polymers & biopolymers
  • Published:
Journal of Materials Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Electrically conductive polymer composites (CPCs) have been applied extensively in many fields such as electronics, wearable sensors and antistatic agent. It is still challenging to develop CPCs with a low percolation threshold and high electrical conductivity. Here, highly electrically conductive polystyrene (PS) composite with a fiber-based segregated structure is prepared by carbon nanotubes (CNTs) decoration onto the electrospun PS fibers, followed by hot press at a proper temperature. In the electrically conductive PS composite, the CNTs are segregated at the interface among the fiber-shaped matrix, and the one-dimensional fiber possessing the merit of a large aspect ratio, which facilitates the formation of conductive network. The percolation threshold is calculated to be 0.084 vol%, and the electrical conductivity of the CPC reaches 83.3 S/m when the concentration of the CNTs is 1.5 vol%. If the hot press temperature is much higher than the glass transition temperature of PS, the fiber-based segregated structure would be destroyed, increasing the percolation threshold while decreasing the conductivity of the composite. The fiber-based segregated structure provides a new and versatile route for the rational design and preparation of CPCs with a low percolation threshold and high conductivity.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Wu DF, Shi TJ, Yang T, Sun YR, Zhai LF, Zhou WD, Zhang M, Zhang J (2011) Electrospinning of poly(trimethylene terephthalate)/carbon nanotube composites. Eur Polym J 47:284–293

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Liu Y, Zhang H, Porwal H, Tu W, Evans J, Newton M, Busfield JJC, Peijs T, Bilotti E (2017) Universal control on pyroresistive behavior of flexible self-regulating heating devices. Adv Funct Mater 27:1702253

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Kingston C, Zepp R, Andrady A, Boverhof D, Fehir R, Hawkins D, Roberts J, Sayre P, Shelton B, Sultan Y, Vejins V, Wohllebenk W (2014) Release characteristics of selected carbon nanotube polymer composites. Carbon 68:33–57

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Wu DF, Lv QL, Feng SH, Chen JX, Chen Y, Qiu YX, Yao X (2015) Polylactide composite foams containing carbon nanotubes and carbon black: synergistic effect of filler on electrical conductivity. Carbon 95:380–387

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Wu HY, Jia LC, Yan DX, Gao JF, Zhang XP, Ren PG, Li ZM (2018) Simultaneously improved electromagnetic interference shielding and mechanical performance of segregated carbon nanotube/polypropylene composite via solid phase molding. Compos Sci Technol 156:87–94

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Sharif F, Arjmand M, Moud AA, Sundararaj U, Roberts EPL (2017) Segregated hybrid poly(methyl methacrylate)/graphene/magnetite nanocomposites for electromagnetic interference shielding. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 9:14171–14179

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Spitalsky Z, Tasis D, Papagelis K, Galiotis C (2010) Carbon nanotube–polymer composites: chemistry, processing, mechanical and electrical properties. Prog Polym Sci 35:357–401

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Mohd Radzuan NA, Yusuf Zakaria M, Sulong AB, Sahari J (2017) The effect of milled carbon fibre filler on electrical conductivity in highly conductive polymer composites. Compos B 110:153–160

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Chen JW, Cui XH, Zhu YT, Jiang W, Sui KY (2017) Design of superior conductive polymer composite with precisely controlling carbon nanotubes at the interface of a co-continuous polymer blend via a balance of π–π interactions and dipole–dipole interactions. Carbon 114:441–448

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Liu YF, Feng LM, Chen YF, Shi YD, Chen XD, Wang M (2018) Segregated polypropylene/cross-linked poly(ethylene-co-1-octene)/multi-walled carbon nanotube nanocomposites with low percolation threshold and dominated negative temperature coefficient effect: towards electromagnetic interference shielding and thermistors. Compos Sci Technol 159:152–161

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Tu ZK, Wang J, Yu CJ, Xiao HW, Jiang T, Yang YK, Shi DA, Mai YW, Li RKY (2016) A facile approach for preparation of polystyrene/graphene nanocomposites with ultra-low percolation threshold through an electrostatic assembly process. Compos Sci Technol 134:49–56

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Pang H, Xu L, Yan DX, Li ZM (2014) Conductive polymer composites with segregated structures. Prog Polym Sci 39:1908–1933

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Ryu SH, Cho HB, Moon JW, Kwon YT, Eom NSA, Lee S, Hussain M, Cho YH (2016) Highly conductive polymethly(methacrylate)/multi-wall carbon nanotube composites by modeling a three-dimensional percolated microstructure. Compos A 91:133–139

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Pang H, Bao Y, Xu L, Yan DX, Zhang WQ, Wang JH, Li ZM (2013) Double-segregated carbon nanotube–polymer conductive composites as candidates for liquid sensing materials. J Mater Chem A 1:4177–4181

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. George N, Chandra J, Mathiazhagan A, Joseph R (2015) High performance natural rubber composites with conductive segregated network of multiwalled carbon nanotubes. Compos Sci Technol 116:33–40

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Liu XH, Lu CH, Wu XD, Zhang XX (2017) Self-healing strain sensors based on nanostructured supramolecular conductive elastomers. J Mater Chem A 5:9824–9832

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Yin GN, Zheng Z, Wang HT, Du QG, Zhang HD (2013) Preparation of graphene oxide coated polystyrene microspheres by Pickering emulsion polymerization. J Colloid Interface Sci 394:192–198

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Li MK, Gao CX, Hu HL, Zhao ZD (2013) Electrical conductivity of thermally reduced graphene oxide/polymer composites with a segregated structure. Carbon 65:371–373

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Pang H, Yan DX, Bao Y, Chen JB, Chen C, Li ZM (2012) Super-tough conducting carbon nanotube/ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene composites with segregated and double-percolated structure. J Mater Chem 22:23568–23575

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Gao JF, Li ZM, Meng QJ, Yang Q (2008) CNTs/UHMWPE composites with a two-dimensional conductive network. Mater Lett 62:3530–3532

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Zhao SG, Zhai W, Li N, Dai K, Zheng GQ, Liu CT, Shen CY (2014) Liquid sensing properties of carbon black/polypropylene composite with a segregated conductive network. Sens Actuators A 217:13–20

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Long GC, Tang CY, Wong KW, Man CZ, Fan MK, Lau WM, Xu T, Wang B (2013) Resolving the dilemma of gaining conductivity but losing environmental friendliness in producing polystyrene/graphene composites via optimizing the matrix-filler structure. Green Chem 15:821–828

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Wu C, Huang XY, Wang GL, Lv LB, Chen G, Li GY, Jiang PK (2013) Highly conductive nanocomposites with three-dimensional, compactly interconnected graphene networks via a self-assembly process. Adv Funct Mater 23:506–513

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Yang L, Wang ZQ, Ji YC, Wang JN, Xue G (2014) Highly ordered 3D graphene-based polymer composite materials fabricated by “particle-constructing” method and their outstanding conductivity. Macromolecules 47:1749–1756

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Gao JF, Wang L, Guo Z, Li B, Wang H, Luo JC, Huang XW, Xue HG (2020) Flexible, superhydrophobic, and electrically conductive polymer nanofiber composite for multifunctional sensing applications. Chem Eng J 381:122778

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Gao JF, Wang H, Huang XW, Hu MJ, Xue HG, Li RKY (2018) A super-hydrophobic and electrically conductive nanofibrous membrane for a chemical vapor sensor. J Mater Chem A 6:10036–10047

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Wang L, Chen Y, Lin LW, Wang H, Huang XW, Xue HG, Gao JF (2019) Highly stretchable, anti-corrosive and wearable strain sensors based on the PDMS/CNTs decorated elastomer nanofiber composite. Chem Eng J 362:89–98

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Lin LW, Wang L, Li B, Luo JC, Huang XW, Gao Q, Xue HG, Gao JF (2020) Dual conductive network enabled superhydrophobic and high performance strain sensors with outstanding electro-thermal performance and extremely high gauge factors. Chem Eng J 385:123391

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Li B, Luo JC, Huang XW, Lin LW, Wang L, Hu MJ, Tang LC, Xue HG, Gao JF, Mai YW (2020) A highly stretchable, super-hydrophobic strain sensor based on polydopamine and graphene reinforced nanofiber composite for human motion monitoring. Compos Part B Eng 181:107580

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Zheng N, Song Y, Wang L, Gao JF, Wang Y, Dong XL (2019) Improved electrical and mechanical properties for the reduced graphene oxide-decorated polymer nanofiber composite with a core–shell structure. Ind Eng Chem Res 58:15470–15478

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Lin JY, Ding B, Yu JY, Hsieh Y (2010) Direct fabrication of highly nanoporous polystyrene fibers via electrospinning. ACS App Mater Interfaces 2:521–528

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Bhutto AA, Vesely D, Gabrys BJ (2003) Miscibility and interactions in polystyrene and sodium sulfonated polystyrene with poly(vinyl methyl ether) PVME blends. Part II: FTIR. Polymer 44:6627–6631

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Gao JF, Li B, Wang L, Huang XW, Xue HG (2018) Flexible membranes with a hierarchical nanofiber/microsphere structure for oil adsorption and oil/water separation. J Ind Eng Chem 68:416–424

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Huang XW, Gao JF, Zheng N, Li W, Xue HG, Li RKY (2017) Influence of humidity and polymer additives on the morphology of hierarchically porous microspheres prepared from non-solvent assisted electrospraying. Colloid Surface A 517:17–24

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Shen B, Zhai W, Chen C, Lu D, Wang J, Zheng W (2011) Melt blending In situ enhances the interaction between polystyrene and graphene through π–π stacking. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 3:3103–3109

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Liu H, Dong MY, Huang WJ, Gao JC, Dai K, Guo J, Zheng GQ, Liu CT, Shen CY, Guo ZH (2017) Lightweight conductive graphene/thermoplastic polyurethane foams with ultrahigh compressibility for piezoresistive sensing. J Mater Chem C 5:73–83

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Wang M, Zhang K, Dai X-X, Li X, Guo J, Liu H, Li GH, Tan YJ, Zeng JB, Guo ZH (2017) Enhanced electrical conductivity and piezoresistive sensing in multi-wall carbon nanotubes/polydimethylsiloxane nanocomposites via the construction of a self-segregated structure. Nanoscale 9:11017–11026

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Dai K, Xu XB, Li ZM (2007) Electrically conductive carbon black (CB) filled in situ microfibrillar poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET)/polyethylene (PE) composite with a selective CB distribution. Polymer 48:849–859

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Wang G, Wang L, Mark LH, Shaayegan V, Wang GZ, Li HP, Zhao GQ, Park CB (2018) Ultralow-threshold and lightweight biodegradable porous PLA/MWCNT with segregated conductive networks for high-performance thermal insulation and electromagnetic interference shielding applications. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 10:1195–1203

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Yan DX, Pang H, Li B, Vajtai R, Xu L, Ren PG, Wang JH, Li ZM (2015) Structured reduced graphene oxide/polymer composites for ultra-efficient electromagnetic interference shielding. Adv Funct Mater 25:559–566

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was financially supported by Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 51873178, 51503179), the Jiangsu Province Postdoctoral Science Foundation (No. 1601024A), the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, and Innovation Program for Graduate Students in Universities of Jiangsu Province (No. KYCX18_2364).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225002, Jiangsu, China

    Ling Wang, Hao Wang, Bei Li, Zheng Guo, Junchen Luo, Xuewu Huang & Jiefeng Gao

Authors
  1. Ling Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hao Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Bei Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Zheng Guo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Junchen Luo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Xuewu Huang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Jiefeng Gao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jiefeng Gao.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary material 1 (DOCX 23 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Wang, L., Wang, H., Li, B. et al. Highly electrically conductive polymer composite with a novel fiber-based segregated structure. J Mater Sci 55, 11727–11738 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-020-04797-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-020-04797-y

Search

Navigation