Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Studies on preparation and thermal control behavior of hybrid fillers/binary-polymer composites with positive temperature coefficient characteristic

  • Article
  • Published:
Science China Technological Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Conductive polymer composites (CPCs) as the thermo-sensitive materials have attracted much attention in thermal control field due to their reliable self-regulating behaviors, high efficiency and mechanical flexibility. However, the development of these materials needs to manage the normal conflicting requirements, such as effective heating performance and good self-regulating capability. This paper presents a series of novel CPCs material having different amounts of hybrid fillers of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon black (CB). The positive temperature coefficient intensity is enhanced to 105.2, and the room-temperature resistivity is optimized to 320 Ω cm. Besides, the Curie temperatures are regulated to room-temperature range by incorporating the low-melting-point blend matrix into the poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate)/CNTs/CB composite. The thermal-control experiment demonstrates that CPCs-heating elements can adjust the equilibrium temperature of controlled equipment near their Curie temperatures without any control methods. Compared with the ordinary resistor, the CPCs materials have the remarkable adaptive thermal control behavior. Furthermore, the temperature control capability is particularly prominent in the changing environment temperature. The CPCs as a safe and reliable adaptive heating element is potential to replace the conventional active thermal control means.

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

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Hou Z, Hu J. Thermal Control Technology of Spacecraft—Principles and Applications (in Chinese). Beijing: China Science and Technology Press, 2008. 23–276

    Google Scholar 

  2. Desouky M A A, Abdelkhalik O. Improved spacecraft magnetic attitude maneuvering. J Spacecr Rockets, 2019, 56: 1611–1623

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Liang C, Liu Y, Ruan Y, et al. Multifunctional sponges with flexible motion sensing and outstanding thermal insulation for superior electromagnetic interference shielding. Compos Part A-Appl Sci Manuf, 2020, 139: 106143

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Zhang C, Ma C A, Wang P, et al. Temperature dependence of electrical resistivity for carbon black filled ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene composites prepared by hot compaction. Carbon, 2005, 43: 2544–2553

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Lisunova M O, Mamunya Y P, Lebovka N I, et al. Percolation behaviour of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene/multi-walled carbon nanotubes composites. Eur Polym J, 2007, 43: 949–958

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Yu A, Li Q. Temperature-dependent resistivity performance of Mn/Y-doped Ba1Sr TiO3 compositions with potential thermal control applications. Ceramics Int, 2020, 46: 8796–8805

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Bin Y, Xu C, Zhu D, et al. Electrical properties of polyethylene and carbon black particle blends prepared by gelation/crystallization from solution. Carbon, 2002, 40: 195–199

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Di W, Zhang G, Peng Y, et al. Two-step PTC effect in immiscible polymer blends filled with carbon black. J Mater Sci, 2004, 39: 695–697

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Chen Z, Hsu P C, Lopez J, et al. Fast and reversible thermoresponsive polymer switching materials for safer batteries. Nat Energy, 2016, 1: 15009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Liang C, Ruan K, Zhang Y, et al. Multifunctional flexible electromagnetic interference shielding silver nanowires/cellulose films with excellent thermal management and joule heating performances. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces, 2020, 12: 18023–18031

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Yang X, Fan S, Li Y, et al. Synchronously improved electromagnetic interference shielding and thermal conductivity for epoxy nanocomposites by constructing 3D copper nanowires/thermally annealed graphene aerogel framework. Compos Part A-Appl Sci Manuf, 2020, 128: 105670

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Coleman J, Khan U, Gun’ko Y. Mechanical reinforcement of polymers using carbon nanotubes. Adv Mater, 2006, 18: 689–706

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Li Q, Basavarajaiah S, Kim N H, et al. Synergy effect of hybrid fillers on the positive temperature coefficient behavior of polypropylene/ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene composites. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010, 116: 116–124

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Zha J W, Li W K, Liao R J, et al. High performance hybrid carbon fillers/binary-polymer nanocomposites with remarkably enhanced positive temperature coefficient effect of resistance. J Mater Chem A, 2013, 1: 843–851

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Wang L, Shi X, Zhang J, et al. Lightweight and robust rGO/sugarcane derived hybrid carbon foams with outstanding EMI shielding performance. J Mater Sci Tech, 2020, 52: 119–126

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Stoll R, Williams L. Thermal design and testing of the Hubble Space Telescope fine guidance system and wavefront sensor. In: Proceedings of the 4th Thermophysics and Heat Transfer Conference. Boston, 1986. 1–6

  17. Cheng W, Yuan S, Song J. Studies on preparation and adaptive thermal control performance of novel PTC (positive temperature coefficient) materials with controllable Curie temperatures. Energy, 2014, 74: 447–454

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Huang Y H, Cheng W L, Zhao R. Thermal management of Li-ion battery pack with the application of flexible form-stable composite phase change materials. Energy Convers Manage, 2019, 182: 9–20

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Cheng W, Song J, Liu Y, et al. Theoretical and experimental studies on thermal control by using a novel PTC material with room temperature Curie point. Int J Heat Mass Transfer, 2014, 74: 441–447

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Cheng W, Zhang R, Xie K, et al. Heat conduction enhanced shape-stabilized paraffin/HDPE composite PCMs by graphite addition: Preparation and thermal properties. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells, 2010, 94: 1636–1642

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Zhang Q H, Chen D J. Percolation threshold and morphology of composites of conducting carbon black/polypropylene/EVA. J Mater Sci, 2004, 39: 1751–1757

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Yu G, Zhang M Q, Zeng H M, et al. Conductive polymer blends filled with carbon black: Positive temperature coefficient behavior. Polym Eng Sci, 1999, 39: 1678–1688

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Yang Q Q, Liang J Z. Electrical properties and morphology of carbon black-filled HDPE/EVA composites. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010, 117: 1998–2002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Chen R, Bin Y, Zhang R, et al. Positive temperature coefficient effect of polymer-carbon filler composites under self-heating evaluated quantitatively in terms of potential barrier height and width associated with tunnel current. Polymer, 2012, 53: 5197–5207

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Kilbride B E, Coleman J N, Fraysse J, et al. Experimental observation of scaling laws for alternating current and direct current conductivity in polymer-carbon nanotube composite thin films. J Appl Phys, 2002, 92: 4024–4030

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Liang G D, Tjong S C. Electrical properties of low-density polyethylene/multiwalled carbon nanotube nanocomposites. Mater Chem Phys, 2006, 100: 132–137

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Zeng Y, Lu G, Wang H, et al. Positive temperature coefficient thermistors based on carbon nanotube/polymer composites. Sci Rep, 2015, 4: 6684

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Tchoudakov R, Breuer O, Narkis M, et al. Conductive polymer blends with low carbon black loading: Polypropylene/polyamide. Polym Eng Sci, 1996, 36: 1336–1346

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Sumita M, Sakata K, Asai S, et al. Dispersion of fillers and the electrical conductivity of polymer blends filled with carbon black. Polym Bull, 1991, 25: 265–271

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Pang H, Chen Q Y, Bao Y, et al. Temperature resistivity behaviour in carbon nanotube/ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene composites with segregated and double percolated structure. Plastics Rubber Compos, 2013, 42: 59–65

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. Li Q, Siddaramaiah Q, Kim N H, et al. Positive temperature coefficient characteristic and structure of graphite nanofibers reinforced high density polyethylene/carbon black nanocomposites. Compos Part B-Eng, 2009, 40: 218–224

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Baltá Calleja F J, Bayer R K, Ezquerra T A. Electrical conductivity of polyethylene-carbon-fibre composites mixed with carbon black. J Mater Sci, 1988, 23: 1411–1415

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. MIIT Key Laboratory of Thermal Control of Electronic Equipment, School of Energy and Power Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210094, China

    AiMei Yu & Qiang Li

Authors
  1. AiMei Yu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Qiang Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Qiang Li.

Additional information

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 51225602).

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Yu, A., Li, Q. Studies on preparation and thermal control behavior of hybrid fillers/binary-polymer composites with positive temperature coefficient characteristic. Sci. China Technol. Sci. 64, 1447–1458 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11431-020-1830-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11431-020-1830-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation