Interfacial distribution of PMMA-grafted MWCNTs in immiscible blends for improved electrical conductivity

Engineering blend structure with interfacial distribution of nanoparticles is a cost-effective strategy for achieving materials with extraordinary performances. Herein, poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) homopolymer was sparsely grafted onto the surface of hydroxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs-OH) by miniemulsion polymerization and such modified MWCNTs- g -PMMA were introduced into immiscible engineering blend of polycarbonate (PC) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) to prepare conductive polymer composites (CPCs). With the help of the miscibility of PMMA with PC and PVDF, MWCNTs- g -PMMA were selectively located at the interface of co-continuous PC/PVDF blend, while MWCNTs-OH were distributed in the PC phase. The interfacial distribution and aggregation of MWCNTs- g -PMMA endowed the ternary nanocomposite with long-term stable excellent electrical conductivity and ultralow percolation threshold of 0.002 vol%.