Functional performance evolution of urchin‐like structured SiO₂‐carbon nanotube hybrid constructions reinforcing polyethylene‐based composites

Abstract In order to meet the growing demands for high specific performance in advanced composite system, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are widely utilized to endow composite with optimized properties. However, the performance improvement is always impeded by CNTs aggregation. Herein, two typical urchin‐liked SiO₂‐CNTs hybrid (SCH) and SiO₂@SiO₂‐CNTs hybrid (SSCH) were synthesized by utilizing chemical vapor deposition. SCH and SSCH filled polyethylene (PE) nanocomposites were fabricated by solution‐blending and hot‐compression. The electrical, dielectric, rheological, and thermal behaviors of the composites were carefully studied. Both composites showed the low percolation threshold that below 0.5 wt%. By adding 1 wt% hybrid, the electrical conductivity of composites were enhanced by 12 orders of magnitude. Moreover, the self‐strengthened SSCH was preferred to form homogeneous dispersion in polymer matrix, leading to a slightly negative influence on processability. All these features provide a reasonable route for designing CNTs‐filled composites with advanced structural or highly conductive properties in future.