Electrically and thermally conductive thin elastic polymer foils containing SiC nanofibers

Abstract

Design and experiment of polymeric nanocomposites (NCs) for photovoltaic applications with outstanding electrical and thermal properties has been investigated with the introduction of SiC nanofibers (NFs) into the poly(trimethylene terephthalate)-block-poly(tetramethylene oxide) (PTT-PTMO) copolymers. In order to enhance the electrical and thermal conductivity, different concentrations of SiC NFs, ranging from 0.1 to 3.0 wt %, have been selected to mix with PTT-PTMO via in situ polymerization method. This reaction method is an excellent choice for incorporation of high amount of SiC NFs (3 wt %) into the polymer that was confirmed by morphological studies. From dielectric spectroscopy studies a percolating behavior was confirmed at low percolation threshold (less than 2% wt %). Furthermore, the 15% increment for thermal conductivity appeared with combination of 0.5 wt % SiC NFs with PTT-PTMO copolymers, which can be affected by manufacturing process of NCs, state of nanofillers dispersion and aspect ratio of nanofillers.