A unique strategy towards high dielectric constant and low loss with multiwall carbon nanotubes anchored onto graphene oxide sheets

Abstract

Multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were anchored onto graphene oxide sheets (GOs) via diazonium and C–C coupling reactions and characterized by spectroscopic and electron microscopic techniques. The thus synthesized MWNT–GO hybrid was then melt mixed with 50/50 polyamide6–maleic anhydride-modified acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (PA6–mABS) blend to design materials with high dielectric constant (ε′) and low dielectric loss. The phase morphology was studied by SEM and it was observed that the MWNT–GO hybrid was selectively localized in the PA6 phase of the blend. The ε′ scales with the concentration of MWNT–GO in the blends, which interestingly showed a very low dielectric loss (<0.2) making them potential candidate for capacitors. In addition, the dynamic storage modulus scales with the fraction of MWNT–GO in the blends, demonstrating their reinforcing capability as well.