Dielectric, electrical and microstructural properties of unfilled and MWCNTs filled polystyrene nanocomposite prepared by in-situ polymerization technique using ultrasonic irradiation

Abstract

The unfilled and ­multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) filled polystyrene (PS) nanocomposites are prepared by in-situ polymerization technique using ultrasonic irradiation. The effect of different volume fraction () of MWCNTs in PS has been studied with respect to their dielectric and electrical characterizations as a function of frequency and temperature. The dielectric constant of different volume fraction () of MWCNTs shows higher value at low frequency region and it shows frequency independent behaviour at higher frequency. The dc conductivity is found to increase with increasing volume fraction () of MWCNTs whereas ac conductivity increases with increasing frequency. The SEM image reveals uniform dispersion of MWCNTs in polymer matrix