CNTs conductive plastics

Owing to their unique electronic, thermal, and mechanical properties, CNTs represent ideal candidates for filler material in nanocomposites. Researchers envision utilizing the high aspect ratio and conductivity of nanotubes to develop conductive plastics with very low percolation thresholds. Moreover, thermally conductive composites are a second avenue of nanocomposite research.The most promising area of nanocomposite research, however, involves the use of CNTs as reinforcing fillers for plastics. ... 

It is clear that CNTs have many advantages over other carbon materials in terms of electrical and thermal properties. These properties offer CNTs great potential for wide applications in field emission, conducting plastics, thermal conductors, energy storage, conductive adhesives, thermal interface materials, structural materials, fibers, catalyst supports, biological applications, and ceramics and so on [35]. 

Other, nanometer-scale forms of carbon, such as nanotubes and graphenes, have been proposed as ESD fillers, though their early use may be greater with engineering polymers. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), in diameters of lO-lOOnm, can induce the conductivity needed for electrostatically paintable plastic automotive body panels, for example. They are also said to be replacing carbon black and fiber in small, detailed electronics applications [6-5]. 

Due to the exceptional properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), such as high electrical and thermal conductivity and excellent mechanical properties, they are expected to have great potential as fillers for polymeric matrices. CNTs are incorporated in electrically insulating polymer materials to achieve electrostatic dissipative behavior or electrical conductivity and improved mechanical properties. Current applications for such nanocomposites include electrostatically dissipative plastic housing or fuel lines, as well as lightweight and electrostatically paintable plastic components replacing metals in car panel applications. Incorporation of CNTs in polymers on an industrial scale is... 

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