Dielectric properties of polymer composites with carbon nanotubes of different diameters

The dielectric properties of Polymethylmetacrylate (PMMA) composites filled with CVD made multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) of different mean outer diameters (d - 9 nm and 12-14 nm) were investigated at temperatures from 300 K to 390 K and in a wide frequency range (20 Hz-1 MHz). The percolation threshold is lower in composites with thick nanotubes. Below percolation threshold the dielectric permittivity was found also to be higher for composites with thicker carbon nanotubes. The temperature dependence of the complex dielectric permittivity of the investigated composites below percolation is mainly caused by beta relaxation in pure PMMA polymer matrix. The potential barrier for PMMA molecules rotation is higher in composites with thicker MWCNT and demonstrates non-monotonous concentration dependence.