Highly conducting polychloroprene composites based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes and 1-butyl 3-methyl imidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulphonyl)imide

Highly conducting flexible polychloroprene composites are prepared based on a novel mixing technique using ionic liquid (IL) modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). A conductivity of 0.1 S/cm is achieved for composites even at a low concentration of the tubes (5 phr). Extremely fine dispersion and a strong tube-tube networking of modified carbon nanotubes (M-CNTs), which are responsible for such high conductivity of the composites, are understood from transmission electron microscopy and amplitude sweep measurements. Several interesting applications can be visualised using these conducting composites: as a substrate for electronic circuits, and as an excellent construction material.