Electrical conductivity enhancement of polycarbonate/poly(styrene-co-acrylonitril)/carbon nanotube composites by high intensity ultrasound

Polycarbonate (PC)/poly(styrene- co -acrylonitrile) (SAN)/carbon nanotube (CNT) nanocomposites were prepared using an intensive melt-mixer equipped with an ultrasonic device. The effect of CNT content and sonication time on the electrical conductivity and other properties was investigated by DSC, TGA, rheometer, Izod-impact tester, surface resistivity meter, TEM and SEM. 1 min of sonication could considerably lower the percolation threshold of nanocomposites. Two different methods, a one-pot method and a master batch method, were compared to each other in regard to the effectiveness of CNTs. The expected mechanism of the two methods was proposed. The electrical conductive nanocomposite was obtained with even a small amount of CNTs by using incompatibility between polymers, affinity differences with CNTs, and a proper high-intensity ultrasound together.