Influence of carbon‐based nanofillers on the electrical and dielectric properties of ethylene vinyl acetate nanocomposites

Abstract A comparative study of ethylene vinyl acetate nanocomposites based on expanded graphite, multiwalled carbon nanotubes, and carbon nanofibers has been carried out to investigate the effect of different carbon nanofillers on the electrical properties of the corresponding composites. The composites were prepared by ultrasonic dispersion of fillers in ethylene vinyl acetate solution, followed by casting and compression molding. The dependence of AC conductivity and dielectric constant on the frequency and filler concentration was investigated. Carbon nanofibers provided maximum conductivity as well as lowest percolation threshold (8.2 vol%) compared to expanded graphite and multiwalled carbon nanotubes filled composites. The improvement in both electrical conductivity and dielectric constant was attributed to the high filler aspect ratio and the formation of conducting networks. The relationship of dielectric constant with filler volume fraction for all the composite systems is estimated using a power law. The pressure sensing capability of the composites at respective percolation thresholds was also compared. POLYM. COMPOS., 2010. © 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers