Effect of Surfactant on Rheological and Electrical Properties of Latex-Blended Polystyrene/Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposites

Polystyrene/single-walled carbon nanotube (PS/SWCNT) nanocomposites were prepared by latex technology and the effect of surfactant (SDS) on nanotube dispersion, rheological and electrical properties was investigated. The nanocomposites were prepared through freeze-drying after mixing PS particles and aqueous SWCNT/SDS suspension. As the SDS content increased, the storage modulus and complex viscosity of the nanocomposites were increased due to enhanced dispersion of nanotubes, but if the content excessively increased, the modulus and viscosity began to decrease due to low molecular weight of SDS. The electrical conductivity sharply increased with the addition of SDS, and then did not show significant changes. This result is speculated to be the competition between the increased dispersion of nanotubes and the deterioration of electrical conductivity by SDS adsorption. An optimal ratio of SDS to SWCNT for improving electrical conductivity and end-use properties was 2. With this ratio, the electrical percolation threshold of SWCNT was less than 1 wt%.