The Effect of the Preparation Method and the Dispersion and Aspect Ratio of CNTs on the Mechanical and Electrical Properties of Bio-Based Polyamide-4,10/CNT Nanocomposites

Bio-based polymeric nanocomposites (NCs) with enhanced electrical conductivity and rigidity were obtained by adding multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to a commercial bio-based polyamide 4,10 (PA410). Two different types of commercial CNTs (Cheap Tubes and Nanocyl NC7000(TM)) and two different preparation methods (using CNTs in powder form and a PA6-based masterbatch, respectively) were used to obtain melt-mixed PA410/CNT NCs. The effect of the preparation method as well as the degree of dispersion and aspect ratio of the CNTs on the electrical and mechanical properties of the processed NCs was studied. Superior electrical and mechanical behavior was observed in the Nanocyl CNTs-based NCs due to the enhanced dispersion and higher aspect ratio of the nanotubes. A much more significant reduction in aspect ratio was observed in the Cheap Tubes CNTs than in the Nanocyl CNTs. This was attributed to the fact that the shear stress applied during melt processing reduced the length of the CNTs to similar lengths in all cases, which pointed to the diameter of the CNTs as the key factor determing the properties of the NCs. The PA6 in the ternary PA410/PA6/CNT system led to improved Young’s modulus values because the reinforcing effect of CNTs was greater in PA6 than in PA410.