Improvement of electrical conductivity in glass bubble-carbon nanotube/polyamide 6 hybrid scale composite through novel mechanical forming and segregated network morphology

The study suggests that GB-CNT/PA6 multiscale hybrid composite can be used to create a network structure with controllable electrical conductivity, making it a promising material for various practical applications. The paper introduces a new method for controlling electrical conductivity of composite materials by creating a segregated network morphology (SNM) using a glass bubble (GB)-carbon nanotube (CNT)/polyamide 6 (PA6) multiscale hybrid composite. Instead of relying solely on CNTs, the addition of GB allows for a more economical process by reducing the required CNT concentration to achieve the desired electrical conductivity. The paper also analyzes the effects of varying GB and CNT content on electrical conductivity based on percolation theory. The results demonstrate an 18.8 times increase in electrical conductivity with the SNM approach. The study proposes that this approach could be used to create composite materials with controllable electrical conductivity, making them suitable for various applications. [Display omitted] •The study focuses on the morphology of a segregated network formed through mechanical means for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and thermal protection system (TPS).•The aim is to analyze the electrical conductivity of the material by varying the amounts of glass bubble (GB) and carbon nanotubes (CNT) present.•A model was proposed to predict the electrical conductivity of the material based on the relative amounts of CNT and GB.