Electrical properties of percolative polystyrene/carbon nanofiber composites

Polystyrene/carbon nanofiber nanocomposites (PS/CNF) were prepared by melt compounding. The dielectric and electrical conducting properties of the PS/CNF nanocomposites were investigated. The conductivity and dielectric constant of the polymer composites were significantly enhanced by adding CNF at a very low loading level of 1.7 vol%. The dielectric constant also increased in the same way as a result of percolation. Furthermore, the resistivity of the PS/1.7 vol% CNF nanocomposite was greatly dependent on temperature. A sharp increase in resistivity of PS/1.7 vol% CNF nanocomposite was observed at 60-150degC, being related to the mobility of PS macromolecular chains near the glass transition temperature.