Melt processing of composites of PVDF and carbon black modified with conducting polymers

Conductive composites from poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and a novel thermally stable conductive additive made via in situ deposition of polyaniline or polypyrrole on carbon black particles were produced by a melting process. Electrical conductivity in the order of 10−2 S/cm could be achieved with low contents of the conductive filler. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that there is no appreciable degradation of the composites at temperatures as high as 300°C. Moreover, the addition of the conducting polymer-modified carbon black additive is advantageous to the melt processing of the composites, reducing the melt viscosity in comparison to the addition of pure carbon black. Composites containing the β-phase of PVDF could be obtained via quenching from the melt, as indicated by X-Ray diffraction analysis. The type and amount of the additive and the quenching rate influence the formation of β-phase in the PVDF composites. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 553–557, 2004