Electric Modulus Spectroscopic Studies of the Dielectric Properties of Carbon Nanotubes/Epoxy Polymer Composite Materials

ABSTRACT

The electrical properties of epoxy polymer/carbon nanotubes composites were characterized using impedance spectroscopy in the frequency range between 1 Hz and 10 MHz and temperature range between 25°C and 105°C. We report the analysis of the experimental data using the electric modulus formalisms to understand the dielectric relaxation mechanisms. The variation of the real and imaginary parts of the electric modulus versus frequency and temperature were suggestive of two relaxation processes, associated with dipolar relaxation and CNT-polymer interfaces. The Havriliak-Negami model of dielectric relaxation was used for modelling the relaxation processes, extracting the relaxation parameters.

KEYWORDS:

• Carbon nanotubes
• dielectric relaxation
• electric modulus
• electrical properties
• havriliak-negami model
• impedance spectroscopy

Acknowledgment

Financial support by the Moroccan (CNRST) – Hungarian (NKFIH) bilateral project TÉT_12_MA-1-2013-0010 and the Budapest Neutron Centre (www.bnc.hu) are gratefully acknowledged. We also acknowledge FEDER funds through the COMPETE 2020 Programme and National Funds through the FCT – Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology under the project UID/CTM/50025/2013.

Additional information

Funding

Financial support by the Moroccan (CNRST) – Hungarian (NKFIH) bilateral project TÉT_12_MA-1-2013-0010 and the Budapest Neutron Centre (www.bnc.hu) are gratefully acknowledged. We also acknowledge FEDER funds through the COMPETE 2020 Programme and National Funds through the FCT – Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology under the project UID/CTM/50025/2013.