Polymeric nanocomposites for application as supercapacitors

Abstract

This project proposes the development of new nanocomposites for supercapacitors applications.Thus, the influence of the polarity and crystallinity of the polymeric matrix and of the processing and orientation of the nanofillers in the matrix, on the electrical and dielectric properties (electrical conductivity and charge storage) will be investigated. The charge storage properties will be analyzed by measuring the dielectric constant k' and the dielectric loss k''. Carbon nanotubes/polymer nanocomposites will be produced and the following systems will be studied: i) Multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) / polar polymeric matrix, (which can be semi crystalline or amorphous and ii) MWCNT/ nonpolar polymer matrix (which can also be semi crystalline or amorphous). The nanocomposites will be prepared by melt blending using extrusion and injection molding. The properties of injection molded samples, with different crystallinities and filler orientation will be compared to the properties of compression molded samples. The rheological, structural, mechanical and morphological properties of the materials will be correlated to their electrical properties. Through this correlation, this study intends to identify the main parameters of process and type of matrix that qualifies a conductive polymer nanocomposite for charge storage applications. (AU)