Surface modification of carbon nanotube and its influence on the conductivity property of carbon nanotube/fluoro-elastomer composite

Multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were modified by mixed acid and tet rafluoro carbon (CF4 ) plasma treatment. The surface morphology and structure of MWCNTs before and after treatment were obtained by using SEM and XPS, which revealed that MWCNTs can be grafted by polar groups after surface treatment. Furthermore, MWCNTs/fluoro-elastomer ( FE) composite films were prepared by the method of solution casting using untreated MWCNTs (UCNTs) , acid-modified MWCNTs (ACNTs) and CF4 plasma-modified MWCNTs (FCNTs). In each case, MWCNTs mass fractions were 0. 1 % , 0. 5 %, 1. 0 % and 2. 0 % with respect to the polymer. The conductivity of MWCNTs/FE was studied by comparing the modification effect on MWCNTs. The results show that the lowest percolation threshold in acid-modified MWCNTs/FE composites was about 0. 5 %.