Effects of the reduction of PAni-coated oxidized multiwall carbon nanotubes on the positive temperature coefficient behaviors of their carbon black/high density polyethylene composites

Polyaniline (PAni)-coated reduced multiwall carbon nanotubes (PRMWNTs) and carbon black (CB)-filled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) composites (PRMWNTs/CB/HDPE) were prepared through a melt mixing method. Oxidized MWNTs (OMWNTs) were prepared by treating pristine multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) with an acid mixture (HNO3:H2SO4), and PAni-coated OMWNTs (POMWNTs) were synthesized via in-situ polymerization of aniline monomer in the presence of OMWNTs. POMWNTs were further reduced using hydrazine monohydrate to obtain the PRMWNTs. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) confirmed the formation of PRMWNTs. PRMWNTs showed significantly improved thermal stability and electrical conductivity comparing to POMWNTs. The positive temperature coefficient (PTC) behavior of PRMWNTs/CB/HDPE composites revealed enhanced PTC intensity and electrical conductivity at room temperature compared to POMWNTs/CB/HDPE composites. The PRMWNTs-10/CB/HDPE composite showed high peak resistivity (301.99 M Omega-cm) and low room temperature resistivity compared to the POMWNTs/CB/HDPE composite, and thus showed the highest PTC intensity value of 6.693 as well as very excellent cyclic stability. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.