Functional Characteristics of Conductive Polymer Composites with Built-In Carbon Nanotubes and Metallic Particles

Abstract

A series of studies was conducted on the functional and structural characteristics of polymer composite materials (PCMs) based on silicone polymers modified with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and metallic particles (CuAl or Al). The influence of the structural parameters of carbon and metallic inclusions in the polymer matrix on the electrophysical and thermophysical properties of the composites was demonstrated. Various conduction mechanisms dominating in the inverse temperature ranges of 50 K–1–13 K–1 , 13 K–1–6 K–1, and 6 K–1–2 K–1 were identified. The operational modes of the polymer composites as active materials for thermoregulating coatings were established. The highest temperature of 32.9 ◦C in operating mode and the shortest warm-up time of 180 s were observed in the composite modified with 4 wt.% CNTs and 10 wt.% bronze particles at a supply voltage of 10 V. The characteristics of the composites under atomic oxygen (AO) exposure with a fluence of 3 × 1021 atoms/cm2 was evaluated, confirming their functionality, particularly for potential space applications. The composites demonstrated nearly complete retention of their functional characteristics. The aim of this study was to develop electrically conductive functional composites based on silicone polymers containing MWCNTs and metallic particles inclusions for creating electric heating elements with tailored functional characteristics.