Effect of temperature on electrical conduction behavior of polyvinylidene fluoride nanocomposites with carbon nanotubes and nanofibers

Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanocomposites with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), functionalized carbon nano-tubes (FMWNTs) and nanofibers (CNFs) were fabricated via the solution processing route. The effect of temperature on the electrical conduction of PVDF-CNF, PVDF-MWNT, and PVDF-FMWNT nanocomposites was studied. The results showed that the DC conductivity of such nanocomposites at ambient temperature follows a percolation scaling law behavior. And the conductivity of nanocomposites tended to decrease with increasing temperature. Moreover, the current-voltage responses of these nanocomposites near the percolation threshold displayed nonlinear characteristics. This nonlinear behavior became more pronounced as the temperature was increased. The mechanism for nonlinearity of these nanocomposite systems is discussed. © 2010 Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.