Novel electro-conductive composites were fabricated with the inclusion of Cu-Al2O3 filler into four different polymer matrices (PS-b-PMMA, PS, PS-b-(PE-r-B)-b-PS-g-MA and PVC) using electroless deposition as an innovative deposition technique for conductive filler preparation. Pronounced increment in the values of electrical conductivity is seen with inclusion of conductive filler loading in polymer matrices (PS-b-PMMA~ 5.55×10-5 S/cm; PS~ 5.0×10-6 S/cm; PS-b-(PE-r-B)-b-PS-g-MA~7.692x10-5 S/cm; PVC~ 8.333 x10-6 S/cm), depicting a clear transition from insulative to conductive region (Fig.1). Significant improvement in the mechanical stability of the prepared composites as a function of Cu-Al2O3 loading is also seen in the form of increased Young’s modulus (PS-b-PMMA~ 680-1122 MPa; PS~ 680.12-1053.9 MPa; PS-b-(PE-r-B)-b-PS-g-MA~50.01-150.47 MPa; PVC~15.22-92.05 MPa) and tensile strength (PS-b-PMMA~ 20.229-27.998 MPa; PS~ 20-836-30.585 MPa; PS-b-(PE-r-B)-b-PS-g-MA~ 15.121- 82.889 MPa; PVC~15.19-74.450MPa). Morphological studies depict formation of conductive networks throughout the matrix at maximum filler loading in all composites while EDX studies confirmed the presence of Cu, Al, Pd, C, and O in the filler as well as in the respective polymer composite films. In light of these results, it is expected that the prepared electrically conductive and mechanically stable composites have potential to be used in micro-electronics, biomedical, packaging industry, etc. as sustainable and energy efficient semi-conductive materials with improved shelf life.

Design and synthesis of electrically conductive composites for energy efficient advanced materials

252nd National Meeting (2016)

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