The Effect of Twin Screw Extrusion on Structural, Electrical, and Rheological Properties in Carbon Nanotube Poly-Ether-Ether-Ketone Nanocomposites

The influence of twin screw extruder dispersion of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on the structural, electrical, and rheological properties in poly(ether ether ketone) is studied. Intermediate rotational speeds (200 rpm) of co-rotating twin screws yield higher electrical conductivity and dynamic shear modulus than for lower or higher speeds when using 3 wt % multiwall CNTs. These improved properties at intermediate speeds are correlated with the dispersion state of nanotubes in the polymer matrix by using transmission electron microscopy and multispectral Raman mapping. We find that the complex shear modulus near structural percolation depends on the dispersion of the CNTs and the residence time in the extruder plays an important role in the final properties of the nanocomposite. (c) 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013