Synergistic effect of carbon fibers on the conductive properties of a segregated carbon black/polypropylene composite

Under the assistance of carbon fibers (CFs) with a large aspect ratio, an evident reduction in the percolation threshold of a segregated carbon black (CB)/polypropylene (PP) conductive polymer composite (CPC) has been achieved. The origin of the ultra-low percolation threshold 0.94 vol% is ascribed to the design of a shish-calabash-like conductive network, where the CFs function as bridges between the segregated CB particles and CB particles act as calabashs contributing to the conductive framework. This interesting microstructure causes a synergistic effect on the conductive properties. A model is proposed to evaluate the percolation behavior of the unique CF/CB/PP composite. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.