Multiwalled carbon nanotube‐filled ethylene acrylic elastomer nanocomposites: Influence of ionic liquids on the mechanical, dynamic mechanical, and dielectric properties

Electrically conductive nanocomposites based on ethylene acrylic elastomer (AEM) and multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT) have been successfully prepared. Before mixing the MWNT is dispersed in ethanol in presence of ionic liquids such as 1‐methyl‐3‐octylimidazolium chloride (MOIC) and 1‐allyl‐3‐methyl imidazolium chloride (AMIC). Uniform dispersion of MWNT in the nanocomposites is achieved in presence of ionic liquid, which is confirmed by the high‐resolution transmission electron microscopic (HRTEM) microphotographs. The tensile strength increases up to 6 phr of MWNT loading and above that it decreases. However, the tensile strength increases due to the incorporation of ionic liquid assisted dispersed MWNT. It is observed from the dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) that the storage modulus (E′) and glass transition temperature (T_g) of AEM matrix increase by incorporation of MWNT. The E′ also increases and the tan δ_max marginally decreases due to the incorporation of dispersed MWNT in presence of ionic liquids. The dielectric relaxation characteristic properties of AEM/MWNT nanocomposites such as dielectric permittivity (ε′), AC conductivity (σ_ac), impedance (Z^*) have been studied as a function of frequency (10¹−10⁶ Hz) in presence of ionic liquids. The ε′ and σ_ac increase with increasing the MWNT loading due to the easy orientation of dipoles and formation of interconnected conductive networks in the nanocomposites. The electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMISE) is studied in the X‐band frequency range of 8 to 12 GHz, which significantly improved with increase in MWNT loading. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:2568–2580, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers