Electrophysical properties of composites based on epoxy resin and carbon fillers

Abstract

Polymeric construction materials based on epoxy resin, carbon fillers, such as graphene nanoplates (GNP), carbon nanotubes (CNT) and fillers of inorganic nature – perlite, vermiculite, sand with improved electrophysical characteristics have been developed. The electrophysical propertieгs of composites obtained in various ways which differ according to the principle of injecting components have been investigated.

GNP were obtained in two ways. Size distribution of GNP obtained by electrochemical method is 50 to 150 nm. The average particle size is up to 100 nm. It occurs that these particles tend to aggregate as it is shown by the method of dynamic light scattering. The GNP obtained by dispersing thermally expanded graphite in water in a rotary homogenizer have a particle size distribution of 400 to 800 nm if very small particles and large aggregates are absent. The second method of obtaining GNP is less energy consuming and requires fewer manufacturing cycles, so it is more cost-effective. Obtaining composites using aqueous suspensions of GNP is environmentally friendly.

Due to the hydrophobic properties of its surface the electrical conductivity of the system which uses vermiculite is higher than one of that which uses perlite for composites with CNT and GNP.

It has been found that the difference of electrophysical characteristics between two systems which contain the same amount of carbon filler is caused by the nature of the surface of dielectric components – sand. By changing the content of dielectric ingredients can expand the functionality of composites if use them for shielding from electromagnetic fields.