Dispersion issues and thermal conductivity of polypropylene/multi wall carbon nanotubes systems

Three types of multiwall carbon nanotubes, one non-functionalized tubes and two functionalized with polar (amino and carboxyl) groups, were used as fillers in a polypropylene resin to develop nanocomposites with improved thermal conductivity. In particular, formulations containing up to 5% in volume of carbon nanotubes, prepared by melt blending, were analyzed in terms of dynamic rheological behavior of melts and thermal conductivity. The former can give information related to the build-up of internal network structures and to the level of dispersion of the fillers. Taking into account that the properties of nanocomposites are strictly related to these aspects, the enhancement of thermal conductivity with respect to the pristine matrix are discussed as a function of the filler content, dispersion of the filler and presence of internal structures.