Physical properties of carbon composite materials with low percolation threshold

Electrical and thermal properties of binary systems consisted of stearine and expanded graphite (EG) of different bulk densities (0.003 and 0.4 g/cm³), stearine and fine-crystalline graphite (CG) were examined. Heat capacity measurements display that phonon spectrum of graphite does not change after chemical and heat treatment in the temperature range from 300 to 700 K. It was shown that the value of samples’ percolation threshold depends on aspect ratio of using the electroconducting filler: EG as electroconducting filler is 20 times more effective than common crystal graphite.     

Effect of intercalation on electrical and mechanical properties of C/C composites

The work is concerned with modification of C/C composites by intercalation of copper chloride. The samples of composites were made from graphite fibres and carbon matrix derived from mesophase pitch and from phenol-formaldehyde resin. The samples were prepared by impregnating graphite fibres with a liquid pitch or polymer solution to obtain unidirectional laminates. The laminates were used to prepare the composites which were then subjected to carbonization and graphitization up to 2150 °C. The work discusses the problem relevant to the effect of intercalation on mechanical and electrical properties of composites. The studies indicated that both mesophase pitch-based composites and phenolic-derived carbon-carbon composites changed their electrical and mechanical properties upon intercalation with copper chloride. Electrical conductivity of both types of composites decreased as a result of the damages formed during intercalation.     

Percolation phenomenon in barium samarium titanate-silver composite

Ba₄Sm_9.33Ti₁₈O₅₄-Ag (BST-Ag) composites were prepared by a solid-state ceramic route and its dielectric properties were investigated in the vicinity of percolation threshold. The structure and microstructure of the composites were analyzed by X-ray diffraction along with optical and scanning electron microscopy observations. The effects of silver content and frequency on the dielectric properties of BST-Ag composites were studied using a LCR meter. The relative permittivity (ε_r) of the composite increases with silver content below the percolation limit and is in agreement with power law. A 0.14 volume fraction of silver loading increases the relative permittivity of the composite from 50 to 450 at 10 kHz. Addition of 0.15 volume fraction of silver increases the relative permittivity of the composite in the order of 10⁵. It is found that the giant relative permittivity is almost constant for frequencies from 1 kHz to 1 MHz. This high ε_r composite offers the perspectives for application in electromechanical devices.     

Electrical Conductivities and Physical and Mechanical Properties of Carbon Fiber (CF) and Carbon Nano-Tube (CNT) Filled Polyolefin Nano-Composites

Carbon nano-tube (CNT)- and carbon fiber (CF)-filled polyolefin nano-composites were prepared by melt blending. The water absorption, expansion ratio, electrical conductivities, and physical and mechanical properties of the prepared nano-composites were extensively investigated. The experimental results showed that the water absorption increased with the elapsed time from the starting point when the samples were immersed into the water. The linear expansion ratios of the composites were found to increase gradually with time till reaching an equilibrium value. Composites with excellent dielectric properties could be obtained when the filler content was above the percolation threshold. The addition of CNT and CF resulted in no obvious improvement in mechanical properties in the present study, but both Shore hardness and Vicat softening temperature (VST) of the composites increased with increasing filler content. The present work will be of practical importance to the CNT/CF filler composites design, and optimization of processing variables, as well as the further exploration of the “processing-structure-property” relationship of polyolefin materials.     

Effect of silica type and concentrations on the physical properties of EPDM cured by γ -irradiation

This paper reports the results of studies on the thermal and electrical properties of gamma radiation cured composites based on ethylene propylene dieyne rubber (EPDM) reinforced with different concentrations of micro- and nano-silica. The effect of gamma irradiation in the presence of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDM) as radiation sensitizer on melt flow properties of EPDM was also studied. Thermogravimetric studies of the composites show that the degradation of vulcanizates is controlled mainly by the silica type and its concentration. Increasing the amount of micro- or nano-silica in the vulcanizate decreases the maximum rate of decomposition of the major degradation step compared with that of the unfilled-cured one. The micro- and nano-composites exhibited remarkable heat resistance properties compared with that of the pure EPDM as the filler dispersion of silica inhibited the thermal degradation of the polymeric matrix, which led to the micro and nano-composites showing great improvement in thermal stability. A considerable change in decomposition rate is observed by increasing filler loading from 10 to 39 phr. The dielectric properties of such composites are affected by the silica type and concentration. The dielectric constant and ac-conductivity for all composites were found to increase with increasing silica loading, which is mainly due to the interfacial polarization. The ac-conductivity values of silica/EPDM composites exhibit a strong frequency dependence with both fillers used. The conductance and dielectric constant values have been fitted using a conduction model for all samples.     

Sorption and decomposition of crude oil using exfoliated graphite/ZnO composites

Exfoliated graphite/ZnO composites (EG/ZnO) were prepared by impregnating expandable graphite with Zn(OH)₂, abruptly expanding at 700 °C for 40 s, and heating at 500 °C for 3 h. The composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), nitrogen adsorption and mercury porosimetry. The sorption capacity of the composites for spilled crude oil was measured and under UV irradiation the decomposition of the absorbed crude oil was investigated. The results showed that the composites provided with the adsorption and photocatalysis capacity for crude oil at the same time. The sorption capacity of the composites decreased gradually on increasing the ZnO content of the composites. Moreover, the decomposition ratio of the absorbed crude oil increased on increasing the ZnO content or decreasing the weight ratio of crude oil to composites.     

Decisive properties of graphite-filled cement composites for device application

Graphite-filled cement composites have been explored in order to design a new conductor–insulator composite system that can show higher shielding effectiveness to electromagnetic (EM) radiation besides higher mechanical strength. The fascinating feature of this work is the processing of cement/graphite composites through which both reflection and absorption of EM radiation are anticipated to increase with increase of graphite filler. The dc conductivity was initially found to increase rapidly with the increase in filler concentration; it then approached saturation after incorporation of 10 wt. % graphite. The permittivity increased progressively with increase in filler loading. Decrease in permittivity with increasing frequency has been registered for all compositions of the composites. The dielectric behavior can be endorsed to Maxwell–Wagner–Sillars theory, both in terms of filler concentration and frequency dependence. At a low frequency of 10 Hz, a very high dielectric constant of the order of 10⁸ has been noticed in 5 wt. % graphite composite, which is expected to increase further with increase in graphite content. The D-Shore hardness results have revealed very little alteration in hardness with increasing graphite content. PACS  72.80.Tm; 77.22.Ch; 77.22.Gm; 81.20.Ev; 81.40.Tv     

Activation behavior and dielectric relaxation in polyvinyl alcohol and multiwall carbon nanotube composite films

The dc and ac electrical transport property of Polyvinyl Alcohol-Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes (PVA-MWNT) composites has been investigated within a temperature range and in the frequency range 20Hz-1MHz. The temperature variation of dc conductivity gives the presence of two different activation energies. The dielectric properties of the samples have been explained in terms of electric modulus vector.The dielectric relaxation has been explained in terms of interfacial polarization occurring in between the insulating PVA matrix and MWNT conductive filler. The variation of the relaxation time with temperature also indicates the presence of two different activation energies.     

Inorganic-inorganic nanocomposite: Surface and conductive properties

Our previous experiences with incorporation of polyoxometalates (POMs) in different substrates have been very successful, because new nanocomposites with better conductive, catalytical and biochemical characteristics have been obtained. The results of intercalation of different mass% of ammonium decavanadate (ADV) in Al-pillared interlayered clays (Al-PILCs) are presented.The Al-PILCs were prepared using natural raw material, bentonite, containing a high percentage of montmorillonite (MM). Synthesis of ADV has been described in a previous paper. The structure of ADV hexahydrate was determined at low temperature, 100 K. A kappa refinement was performed to estimate the atomic charges.A sol-gel procedure was applied to obtain Al-PILCs composite intercalated with ADV hexahydrate (from 2 to 5 mass% of ADV). Structure and morphological properties of the new material, a nanocomposite of Al-PILCs-ADV, were investigated by X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). To understand better how ADV is incorporated in the MM substrate, specific surface areas, pore structures and pore distributions were determined.Electrical and dielectric properties of the new materials were investigated by thermally stimulated depolarization currents (TSDCs) and broadband dielectric relaxation spectroscopy (DRS). The electrical conductivity of the nanocomposite was found to increase, in relation to MM, by intercalating with a small amount of ADV.     

Magnetic and dielectric properties of Ni0.8Co0.1Cu0.1Fe2O4+PZT composites

Magnetoelectric composites of Ni_0.8Co_0.1Cu_0.1Fe₂O₄ and Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) were prepared by using conventional ceramic method. The measured values of saturation magnetization (M_s) and magnetic moments (μ_B) are in accordance with the volume fraction of ferrite content in the composite. The dielectric constant of the composites decreases with frequency. The plots of dielectric constant () against temperature (T) show a peak at their respective transition temperatures. The ME output was measured by varying dc bias magnetic field. A large ME output signal of 776 mV/cm was observed for 35% ferrite +65% ferroelectric composite. The magnetoelectric (ME) response is found to be dependent on the content of ferrite phase.     

Influence of sintering conditions and doping on the dielectric relaxation originating from the surface layer effects in CaCu3Ti4O12 ceramics

Detailed investigations into the dielectric dispersion phenomenon in the giant dielectric constant material CaCu₃Ti₄O₁₂ (CCTO) around room temperature revealed the existence of two successive dielectric relaxations. In the temperature domain, a new dielectric relaxation was clearly observed around 250 K, in addition to the well-investigated dielectric relaxation close to 100 K. The effect of sintering and doping (La³⁺) on the strength of these dielectric relaxations were studied in detail. The sintering temperature as well as its duration was found to have tremendous influence on the dielectric relaxation that was encountered around 250 K. This Maxwell-Wagner (M-W) type of relaxation was found to be originating from the surface layer containing the Cu-rich phase, which was ascribed to the difference in the oxygen content between the surface and the interior of the sample. Interestingly, this particular additional relaxation was not observed in La_2/3Cu₃Ti₄O₁₂, a low dielectric constant member of the CCTO family, in which the segregation of Cu-rich phase on the surface was absent. Indeed the correlation between the new relaxation and the presence of Cu-rich phase in CCTO ceramics was further corroborated by the absence of the same after removing the top and bottom layers.     

Dielectric behavior of TiC–PVDF nanocomposites

TiC/PVDF nanocomposite is prepared via simple blending and hot pressing route. Percolation theory was employed to explain the dielectric behavior of the TiC/PVDF composites. The dependence of the dielectric properties of the composite on both volume fraction of the filler and frequency is investigated. High dielectric constant (? = 540) and low loss (tan δ = 0.48) of the composites at 100 Hz have been observed near the percolation threshold (0.12). The composites show a weak frequency dependence towards the high frequency range (10–100 kHz), regardless of the TiC content. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Electron-phonon and electron-electron interactions in organic field effect transistors

Recent experiments have demonstrated that the performances of organic FETs strongly depend on the dielectric properties of the gate insulator. In particular, it has been shown that the temperature dependence of the mobility evolves from a metallic-like to an insulating behavior upon increasing the dielectric constant of the gate material. This phenomenon can be explained in terms of the formation of small polarons, due to the polar interaction of the charge carriers with the phonons at the organic/dielectric interface. Building on this model, the possible consequences of the Coulomb repulsion between the carriers at high concentrations are analyzed.     

Carbon materials with quasi-graphene layers: the dielectric, percolation properties and the electronic transport mechanism

We investigate the dielectric properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and graphite filling in SiO₂ with the filling concentration of 2-20 wt.% in the frequency range of 10²-10⁷ Hz. MWCNTs and graphite have general electrical properties and percolation phenomena owing to their quasi-structure made up of graphene layers. Both permittivity ε and conductivity σ exhibit jumps around the percolation threshold. Variations of dielectric properties of the composites are in agreement with the percolation theory. All the percolation phenomena are determined by hopping and migrating electrons, which are attributed to the special electronic transport mechanism of the fillers in the composites. However, the twin-percolation phenomenon exists when the concentration of MWCNTs is between 5-10 wt.% and 15-20 wt.% in the MWCNTs/SiO₂ composites, while in the graphite/SiO₂ composites, there is only one percolation phenomenon in the graphite concentration of 10-15 wt.%. The unique twin-percolation phenomenon of MWCNTs/SiO₂ is described and attributed to the electronic transfer mechanism, especially the network effect of MWCNTs in the composites. The formation of network plays an essential role in determining the second percolation threshold of MWCNTs/SiO₂.     

Mechanical Properties and Morphology of Polylactide Composites with Acrylic Impact Modifier

Polylactide (PLA) composites with acrylic impact modifier BPM, i.e., PLA/BPM composites, were produced by the melt blending method. The effects of BPM on the thermal properties, melting behaviors, and dynamic mechanical properties of the PLA/BPMs were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and dynamic mechanical analysis. Tensile strength, flexural strength, and modulus of the injection molded specimens were measured by an Instron tensile machine. The influence of BPM on the impact strength of injection molded PLA/BPM composites was examined using an impact tester. The morphology of cryofractured surfaces and fracture surfaces of the composites after the tensile and impact testing was also investigated using scanning electron microscope. The test results show that the composites with BPM possess better flexibility when compared with neat PLA. However, the notched Izod impact strength showed improvement only when the BPM content was higher than 15 wt%.     

Dielectric properties of ultrathin films of molecular crystals

Dielectric properties of thin films (TF) of molecular crystals, including the effect of size and the boundary surfaces were analysed using Green's function method. Polarisability of molecules in various film layers and dielectric susceptibility of TF were calculated. A comparison with crystal bulk has shown that dielectric properties of TF are strongly influenced both by the sample dimensions and by the boundary conditions.The frequency dependence of the dielectric susceptibility has also been derived. One obtains the monotonous variation for the frequencies above and below exciton band. However, for the frequencies within the exciton band there appears to be complicated, non-monotonous dependence. The relationship between the dielectric susceptibility and the film width for the same frequency shows a complex, oscillatory behaviour. Furthermore, the amplitude of these oscillations increases with increasing film width, demanding the introduction of a damping factor. Finally, the thickness dependence of dielectric susceptibility was analysed in the Cole-Cole plot.     

Interface and its effect on the interlaminate shear strength of novel glass fiber/hyperbranched polysiloxane modified maleimide-triazine resin composites

Interface is the key topic of developing advanced fiber reinforced polymeric composites. Novel advanced glass woven fabric (GF) reinforced composites, coded as GF/mBT, were prepared, of which the matrix resin was hyperbranched polysiloxane (HBPSi) modified maleimide-triazine (mBT) resin. The influence of the composition of the matrix on the interfacial nature of the GF/mBT composites were studied and compared with that of the composite based on GF and BT resin using contact angle, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and dielectric properties over wide frequency and temperature ranges. Results show that the interfacial nature of the composites is dependent on the chemistries of the matrices, mBT matrices have better interfacial adhesion with GF than BT resin owing to the formation of chemical and hydrogen bonds between mBT resin and GF; while in the case of mBT resins, the content of HBPSi also plays an important role on the interfacial feature and thus the macro-performance. Specifically, with increasing the content of HBPSi in the matrix, the interlaminate shear strength of corresponding composites significantly improves, demonstrating that better interfacial adhesion guarantees outstanding integrated properties of the resultant composites.     

Dielectric and modulus behavior of LiFe1/2Ni1/2VO4 ceramics

The polycrystalline sample of LiFe_1/2Ni_1/2VO₄ was prepared by a standard solid-state reaction technique and confirmed by X-ray diffractometry. LiFe_1/2Ni_1/2VO₄ has orthorhombic crystal structure whose dielectric and electric modulus properties were studied over a wide frequency range (100 Hz–1 MHz) at different temperatures (296–623 K) using a complex impedance spectroscopy (CIS) technique. The frequency and temperature dependence of dielectric constant (ε_r) and tangent loss (tan δ) of LiFe_1/2Ni_1/2VO₄ are studied. The variation of ε_r as a function frequency at different temperatures exhibits a dispersive behavior at low frequencies. The variation of the ε_r as a function of temperature at different frequencies shows the dielectric anomaly in ε_r at 498 K with maximum value of dielectric constant 274.49 and 96.86 at 100 kHz and 1 MHz, respectively. Modulus analysis was carried out to understand the mechanism of the electrical transport process, which indicates the non-exponential type of conductivity relaxation in the material. The activation energy calculated from electric modulus spectra is 0.38 eV.     

Synthesis and application of the solar cell of poly(3-hexylthiophene)/Fe N/titanium dioxide nanocomposite material

A series of nanocomposites of poly(3-hexylthiophene) with Fe N-doped TiO₂ (P3HT/Fe N/TiO₂) were synthesized by the chemical method in situ. The structure of the prepared composites was characterized using X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (IR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Optical and electrochemical properties were determined using UV-vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. These tests indicated that P3HT/Fe N/TiO₂ is a new p-n semiconductor. Two solar cells based on P3HT/Fe N/TiO₂ were manufactured and studied.     

Physical properties of BaMg1/3Nb2/3O3-BaCo1/3Nb2/3O3 solid solutions

Structural, electric and magnetic properties of Ba₃Mg_1−xCo_xNb₂O₉ based dielectric ceramic compounds have been studied. The samples, prepared by a solid state reaction method, were characterised by X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), electron microscopy (SEM), dielectric (ε(T)) and magnetic measurements (χ⁻¹(T)). The XRPD analyses showed that the crystal structure of these compounds does change by the increase of substitution degree, passing from a superstructure hexagonal-type, (no. 164), space group (SG) to a simple structure cubic-type, (no. 221), SG. However, the evolution of the elementary unit cell lattice parameter can be followed and it exhibit a linear increasing tendency with increase in the substitution, indicating the existence of a solid solution through out the investigated range of substitution (0-1). The microstructure analysis shows a variation in the grain size and also the porosity of the samples with the degree of substitution. The results are in good agreement with that of dielectric measurements, which also showed that the dielectric constant (ε) increases with the increase of cobalt content. The magnetic characterization of cobalt substituted samples showed an antiferromagnetic type super-exchange interaction between these magnetic ions. At the same time, the values of effective magnetic momentum (μ_eff) are close to the value that corresponds to Co²⁺ free ions. The study highlights the possibility of modelling these materials by substitutions, in order to improve properties of negative-positive-zero (NPO) type dielectric applications.