Static and dynamic percolation of phenoxy/carbon nanotube nanocomposites

[Display omitted] •Lowest percolation threshold for melt-processed phenoxy/CNT system was reported.•Electrical, morphological, and thermal properties of phenoxy/CNT were studied.•The dynamic percolation was presented for the first time on current system.•The conductive network formation of CNTs within phenoxy matrix was studied.•Suitable processing and annealing conditions for current system provided. The electrical conductivity of a carbon nanotube/phenoxy nanocomposite fabricated by melt-processing is presented. A low percolation threshold (pc∼0.20wt.%) for carbon nanotubes in phenoxy, a thermoplastic epoxy, is reported. The dispersion of the nanofillers within phenoxy matrix was examined by scanning electron microscopy, showing good levels of dispersion without aggregates. The temperature dependence of nanotube network formation is described and explained by a dynamic percolation process. Suitable processing and annealing conditions are provided to achieve low percolation thresholds based on observed electrical and rheological results. Since these phenoxy resins are dissolvable into epoxy, these findings open up possibilities to deliver carbon nanotubes into composites based on such epoxy resin, creating hierarchical nanoengineered composites.