Characterization, charge transport and magnetic properties of multi-walled carbon nanotube-polyvinyl chloride nanocomposites

Vasanthkumar, MS and Bhatia, Ravi and Arya, Ved Prakash and Sameera, I and Prasad, V and Jayanna, HS (2014) Characterization, charge transport and magnetic properties of multi-walled carbon nanotube-polyvinyl chloride nanocomposites. In: PHYSICA E-LOW-DIMENSIONAL SYSTEMS & NANOSTRUCTURES, 56 . pp. 10-16.

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Abstract

Multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)-polyvinyl chloride (PVC) nanocomposites, with MWCNT loading up to 44.4 weight percent (wt%), were prepared by the solvent mixing and casting method. Electron microscopy indicates high degree of dispersion of MWCNT in PVC matrix, achieved by ultrasonication without using any surfactants. Thermogravimetric analysis showed a significant monotonic enhancement in the thermal stability of nanocomposites by increasing the wt% of MWCNT. Electrical conductivity of nanocomposites followed the classical percolation theory and the conductivity prominently improved from 10(-7) to 9 S/cm as the MWCNT loading increased from 0.1 to 44.4 wt%. Low value of electrical percolation threshold similar to 0.2 wt% is achieved which is attributed to high aspect ratio and homogeneous dispersion of MWCNT in PVC. The analysis of the low temperature electrical resistivity data shows that sample of 1.9 wt% follows three dimensional variable range hopping model whereas higher wt% nanocomposite samples follow power law behavior. The magnetization versus applied field data for both bulk MWCNTs and nanocomposite of 44.4 wt% display ferromagnetic behavior with enhanced coercivities of 1.82 and 1.27 kOe at 10 K, respectively. The enhancement in coercivity is due to strong dipolar interaction and shape anisotropy of rod-shaped iron nanoparticles. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	PHYSICA E-LOW-DIMENSIONAL SYSTEMS & NANOSTRUCTURES
Publisher:	ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV
Additional Information:	copyright for this article belongs to ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV, PO BOX 211, 1000 AE AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS
Keywords:	Multi-walled carbon nanotube; Nanocomposite; Percolation; Charge transport; Magnetization
Department/Centre:	Division of Physical & Mathematical Sciences > Physics
Date Deposited:	25 Mar 2014 09:37
Last Modified:	25 Mar 2014 09:37
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/48637

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