ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OF NANOCOMPOSITE FIBERS UNDER VARIOUS LOADS AND TEMPERATURES

Abstract Multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) based nanocomposite fibers were fabricated using electrospinning method, and their electrical properties were investigated under various loads and temperatures. MWCNTs were initially dispersed into polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and electrospun at various spinning conditions, including DC voltage, pump speed, concentration and distance. When the mechanical load was applied to a film of PVP nanocomposite fibers, the contact resistance, separation between sites and jumping distance of the charge carriers were gradually reduced, thus likely enhancing the electrical conduction. Additionally, as the temperature increased from 20 to 90 °C, the electrical resistance drastically decreased. These behaviors may be a consequence of conductivity and polarization effects of the nanoscale inclusions in the fibers