Title: New non-linear electrical-thermal switching of carbon nanoparticles/silane coupling agent reinforced phenolic resin nanocomposites

Authors: Farid El-Tantawy, Nadia Abdel Aal, A.A. Al-Ghamdi, E.H. El-Mossalamy, S. Al-Heniti

Addresses: Faculty of Science, Department of Physics, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt; Faculty of Education for Girls at Balgarn, King Khalid University, Sabt Al-Alaya, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. ' Faculty of Science, Chemistry Department, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt; Department of Chemistry, Girls Education College at Al Baha, Al Baha University, Al Baha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. ' Faculty of Science, Department of Physics, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. 80203, Jeddah 21569, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. ' Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, King Abdul Aziz University, P.O. Box 80203, Jeddah 21589, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. ' Faculty of Science, Department of Physics, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. 80203, Jeddah 21569, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract: This paper evaluates the use of a new multifunctional conducting polymer containing phenolic resin reinforced by carbon black (CB) nanoparticles modified by silane coupling agent to produce positive temperature coefficient (PTC) thermistors and switching current. The percolation threshold of the conducting composites at room temperature was found to be as low as 4 wt% of CB. Temperature dependent electrical characterisation of phenolic resin/CB nanocomposites is performed. The composites exhibit PTC properties with ρmaxρmin value as great as 104. Electrical parameters such as charge carriers type, drift mobility, concentration of charge carriers, activation and hopping energy are verified with CB content. The current-voltage curves of the nanocomposites change from linear to non-linear behaviour and the switching current is observed within the non-linear regime.

Keywords: conducting polymer nanocomposites; interpenetrating networks; electrical properties; nonlinear switching; electrical-thermal switching; carbon nanoparticles; silane coupling agent; reinforced nanocomposites; phenolic resin nanocomposites; nanotechnology.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNP.2009.028741

International Journal of Nanoparticles, 2009 Vol.2 No.1/2/3/4/5/6, pp.89 -99

Published online: 30 Sep 2009 *

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