Effect of nano carbon shape on the properties of nano carbon/polyethylene conductive composites

Conductive polyethylene (PE) composites were prepared by using two-dimensional flaky graphene microparticles modified on the surface of spindle shaped calcium carbonate (CGM) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) filled PE. The mechanical and electrical properties of the compound system where the conductive network forms by filling with two-dimensional or one-dimensional nano carbon composites were studied. When they arrive at antistatic composite, the mass fraction of the CGM and MWCNTs are 8wt% and 1wt%, respectively. The composite properties of 8wt% CGM show excellent performance, while comprehensive mechanical properties of the MWCNTs/PE composite filled with 0.5wt% MWCNTs reach maximum, when arriving at antistatic appears to decline. The microscopic action factors of different mechanical and electrical properties of nano carbon composites were analyzed by morphology and rheology. There is a good correlation between rheological seepage threshold and conductive seepage threshold for CGM/PE composite. However, the MWCNTs/PE composite that can reach the threshold of rheological seepage can not form conductive network. The results show that one-dimensional MWCNTs is not easily dispersed in the polymer matrix, and reduces the mechanical properties of MWCNTs/PE composites compared with two-dimensional CGM.