Abstract:
The scope of this study is to synthesize an electrically conductive elastomeric
nanocomposite with efficient dispersion and optimized loading levels of Carbon Nanotubes
coated Poly Methyl Methacrylate as a filler which could replace expensive semi-conductors
currently being used in industries, medical applications, homebased electronic devices,
chemical sensor, bio-sensors, piezo electric devices & pressure sensors.
To investigate the electrical conductivity enhancement with optimized loading levels of
conductive filler in NBR elastomer matrix solvent dispersion method was utilized to coat
the Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) on the Poly Methyl Methacrylate (PMMA) 10µm
microbeads and it was validated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier
Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. From these
characterization results it was concluded that CNTs has been efficiently coated on the
PMMA microbeads outer surfaces. Then this coated filler was mixed with the NBR matrix
in an internal mixer at (0,2,4,6,8,10) PHR levels and its vulcanization was conducted. The
conductivity results showed an increment of 5 order of magnitude from (10-10 S/m) to (10-5
S/m) and at 4 PHR conductivity values of the sample was achieved and at this point only
(0.062) grams of CNTs were used making this methodology a quite cost-effective and
economical method and PMMA microbeads provides an effective filler volume to induce
CNT conductive network as compared to previously used methods which mainly employs
direct mixing of CNTs in a rubber matrix for enhancing its conductivity or other desired
properties
