Positive temperature coefficient and time-dependent resistivity of carbon nanotubes (CNTs)/ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) composite

The carbon nanotubes/ultrahigh molecular weight polyethlene (CNTs/UHMWPE) conductive composite with a low percolation threshold had been successfully fabricated, and CNTs were only dispersed in the interface of matrix particles. Some factors, including CNTs concentration, processing temperature, and the time of isothermal treatment, which could exert influence on the positive temperature coefficient effect of the composite, were investigated. Similar with negative temperature coefficient effect, the resistivity decreased during isothermal treatment above the melting point of UHMWPE, which could be thought to be a relaxation process originated from movement of molecular chains. This relaxation, also a process of CNTs aggregating to reorganize the conductive network, was testified as a function of time, temperature, filler concentration, and heating rate. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009