Work

Enhancing the electrical conductivity of TPU-TPU/SWCNT multilayered composites using melt multipliers

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Structuring and confining polymer layers have a profound influence on material properties and has been studied as means to achieving tailored and multifunctional materials. In this work, single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) are incorporated into thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) using melt-mixing techniques. An electrical percolation threshold at 0.6 wt.% SWCNT is achieved for melt-extruded filaments after pre-dispersing SWCNT in polypropylene glycol. Additionally, a prototype device composed of a series of small-scale layer multipliers is developed. The application of the baker’s transformation enabled the extrusion of tapes with alternating layers of two different melts, TPU and composite TPU with SWCNT. These layered structures, obtained using an increasing number of melt multipliers, are characterized in terms of morphology, mechanical, and electrical properties. We demonstrate that layered tapes of TPU with TPU/SWCNT preserve the electrical conductivity of the TPU/SWCNT composite, at half SWCNT weight percentage, and the ductility of neat TPU.

Source: Composites Communications

DOI: 10.1016/j.coco.2025.102448

Authors: Mariana Martins da Silva, Rui Ribeiro, Ana Sofia Oliveira, Mariana Paiva Proença, Maria Conceição Paiva, José António Covas

Institutions: University of Minho, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid

Language: English

Topic: Carbon Nanotubes in Composites

Subfield: Materials Chemistry

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,070