Morphology and electrical conductivity of polyazomethine/hybrid carbon nanofillers composites

The composites based on polyazomethine and hybrid carbon nanofillers, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), varying in MWCNTs/rGO ratio, were fabricated. Their morphology and electrical conductivity in wide ranges of temperature (T) and frequency (f) were investigated with scanning electron microscopy and broadband dielectric spectroscopy, respectively. We recognized better dispersion of the hybrid nanofillers in the solvent and consequently in the polymer matrix as compared with that of the single nanofillers. We found a gradual increase in the electrical conductivity of the nanocomposites with increasing MWCNTs/rGO ratio. Finally, the nanocomposite containing MWCNTs only exhibits the highest conductivity. At T = 20 °C and f = 1 Hz, its conductivity exceeds that of neat polymer for 6 orders.