The Role of Specic Interaction and Selective
Localization of Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes on the
Electrical Conductivity and Phase Morphology of
Multicomponent Polymer Blends
Suryasarathi Bose, Arup R. Bhattacharyya, Rupesh A. Khare, Srikanth S. Kamath, Ajit R. Kulkarni
Department of Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay,
Powai, Mumbai-400076, India
Multicomponent polymer blends involving polyamide6
(PA6), polypropylene (PP), acrylonitrile-butadiene-sty-
rene (ABS) and high density polyethylene (HDPE) with
multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNT) were prepared by
melt mixing technique to achieve conducting compo-
sites. MWNT were either compounded directly or by
employing a masterbatch dilution approach in binary
(PA6/ABS), ternary (PA6/PP/ABS) and quaternary (PA6/
PP/ABS/HDPE) blends. To facilitate network-like
structure MWNT were pretreated with either sodium
salt of 6-aminohexanoic acid or octadecyl tri-phenyl
phosponium bromide. Multicomponent blends with
pretreated MWNT utilizing masterbatch dilution
approach showed signicant improvements in the bulk
electrical conductivity as compared to blends prepared
by direct addition approach at 2 wt % MWNT content.
Phase morphology of these blends revealed co-contin-
uous type of morphology wherein MWNT were found to
be selectively localized in the PA6 phase. The hetero-
nucleating action of MWNT was manifested in
increased crystallization temperature of mainly PA6
phase of the blends indicating preferential localization
of MWNT in the PA6 phase. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 51:1987
2000, 2011. 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
INTRODUCTION
Blending of polymers is often used to design a material
with synergistic combination of desirable properties from
each component [1]. The ultimate properties of the blends
are strongly inuenced by the constituent blend compo-
nents, the interface and the morphology developed during
processing. Consequently, most of the polymer mixtures
are immiscible which often leads to wide range of micro-
Correspondence to: Arup R. Bhattacharyya; e-mail: arupranjan@iitb.ac.in
Suryasarathi Bose is currently at Department of Chemical Engineering,
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Willem de Croylaan 46, B-3001 Leuven,
Belgium.
Contract grant sponsor: Department of Science and Technology (DST),
India; contract grant number: 08DST016.
DOI 10.1002/pen.21998
Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com).
V
C 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers
POLYMER ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE-2011
structures during processing ranging from matrix-droplet
type and brillar to co-continuous morphologies. The ow
induced microstructure often determines the end-use prop-
erties of the blends. In this context, blends with co-contin-
uous morphology have emerged with unique properties
and generated profound interest. Employing a suitable
compatibilizer has been described as one of the classical
strategies to reduce the interfacial tension between
the components and stabilize the morphology during
melt-mixing.
In recent years, the concept of using llers to stabilize
the blend morphology has been introduced and received a
great deal of interest both from scientic and industrial
perspectives. In this regard, selective lling of conducting
llers in one of the phases or at the interface of co-con-
tinuous binary immiscible blends has generated profound
interest in designing conducting polymer composites for
several practical applications [2]. It has been known over
years that selective localization of conducting llers in
any one of the phases or at the interface of co-continuous
binary immiscible blends is an efcient strategy to
develop conducting composites using very low level of
conducting llers utilizing the concept of double perco-
lation [3]. In addition, it has been reported that selective
localization of ller in co-continuous blends often broad-
ens the phase inversion regime [4] and further manifests
in ner ligament size of the phases [5]. The phase
morphology of the blends typically depends on the con-
centration, shape, type, and dimension of the ller.
Conducting polymer composites involving conducting
llers exhibit an abrupt increase in the bulk electrical con-
ductivity at a critical concentration of ller termed as
percolation threshold. Recently, carbon nanotubes
(CNT) have received a great deal of interest as conduct-
ing ller in polymer composites because of the possibility
to achieve reasonably high conductivity at low CNT
content owing to its high aspect ratio (L/D). In this
context, vast efforts have been attempted in restricting
CNT in one of the phases or at the interface of binary
immiscible blends as an alternative route to further reduce
the electrical percolation threshold. The selective localiza-
tion of the ller in the blends has been addressed in con-
text to various factors like thermodynamic, kinetic, and
melt viscosity ratio [3, 6, 7]. For instance, thermodynamic
factor governs the localization of ller in a particular
phase depending on the minimum difference in surface
free energy (SFE) values between the polymer matrix and
ller [8] whereas, kinetic factor may also govern the
localization of ller during melt-mixing. Further, the melt
viscosity ratio factor promotes the localization of ller in
less viscous phase of the blends.
To selectively restrict the conducting llers either in
one of the phases or at the interface various approaches
viz. altering the surface chemistry of the ller, sequential
mixing of the blend components, masterbatch dilution
approach, specic interaction in combination with melt
interfacial reaction etc. have been attempted in the past
[916]. For instance, Gubbels et al. have shown that car-
bon black (CB) can be localized selectively in either of
the phases or at the interface of polyethylene/polystyrene
(PE/PS) blends by altering the surface properties of CB
and hence inuencing the thermodynamic factors [9]. This
route resulted in much lower electrical percolation thresh-
old (0.0020.003 vol. fraction of CB) in PE/PS blends.
Potschke et al. utilized the masterbatch approach to
restrict multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNT) in polycar-
bonate (PC) phase of PC/PE blends [10]. These blends
were observed to show co-continuous morphology over a
broad range of composition. In an earlier study it has
been reported that the bulk electrical conductivity in poly-
amide6/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (PA6/
ABS) blends with MWNT depends strongly on the mixing
sequence and processing conditions employed during melt
mixing [11]. In addition, it was also reported that MWNT
could be selectively localized in the PA6 phase of PA6/
ABS blends by employing melt-interfacial reaction utiliz-
ing a unique modier (sodium salt of 6-amino hexanoic
acid, Na-AHA) [6]. This concept eventually led to a sig-
nicant reduction in percolation threshold (
0.25 wt%
MWNT as against 34 wt% in case of unmodied
MWNT) in the blends. Moreover, the effective utilization
of certain phosponium based modiers to facilitate debun-
dling and network-like structure of MWNT in PA6/ at 2.16 kg load and 1908C) and high density polyethylene
ABS blends has also been reported [12]. These phospo-
nium-based modiers also led to a signicant improve-
ment in the bulk electrical conductivity of the blends. It
has been realized that both these modiers (Na-AHA and
phosponium-based modier) play a key role in debundling
the MWNT where PA6 phase is also engaged in
melt-interfacial interaction with the corresponding modier.
In this work the state of dispersion of MWNT has been
investigated (with or without pretreatment) in a rather
more complex situation viz. multicomponent blends sys-
tem wherein varying extents of surface free energy differ-
ences between the individual components and MWNT
add complexity to the nal state of dispersion of the
1988 POLYMER ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE-2011
nanotubes. The bulk electrical conductivity and the phase
morphology of PA6-based binary (PA6/ABS), ternary
polyamide6/polypropylene/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene
copolymer (PA6/PP/ABS) and quaternary polyamide6/
polypropylene/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer/
high density polyethylene (PA6/PP/ABS/HDPE) immisci-
ble blends with MWNT have been studied through AC
electrical conductivity measurements and scanning elec-
tron microscopic (SEM) analysis, respectively. The com-
ponents have been so chosen that MWNT would have
higher afnity towards PA6 phase in the multicomponent
blends from both thermodynamic perspective or if one
would consider the melt-viscosity ratio factor. Two differ-
ent approaches have been employed: viz., direct com-
pounding of MWNT with the components (simultaneous
mixing) and masterbatch dilution approach (by diluting
PA6/MWNT composites) to develop the composites. The
later approach has been adopted to facilitate selective
localization of MWNT in the continuous PA6 phase of
the multicomponent blends. MWNT have been pretreated
with two different types of modier viz. Na-AHA and
octadecyl tri-phenyl phosponium bromide (OTPB) to
render network-like structure even at low concentration
of MWNT in the blends and further to restrict the nano-
tubes in the continuous PA6 phase of the multicomponent
system. The bulk electrical conductivity and the phase
morphology of the multicomponent blends with pretreated
MWNT have also been investigated. This work attempts
to extend the concept of double percolation to multi-
component blends with MWNT utilizing the uniqueness
of the approach viz. specic interaction in conjunction
with melt-interfacial reaction.
EXPERIMENTAL
Materials and Specimen Preparation
Polyamide 6 (PA6) with a zero shear viscosity of 180
Pa s at 2608C was obtained from GSFC, Gujarat, India
(Gujlon M28RC, relative viscosity 2.8, Mv is 38642 in
85% formic acid). Polypropylene (PP, H110MA, MFI 11
(HDPE, Relene M60075, MFI 8 at 2.16 kg load and
1908C) were obtained from Reliance Industries Ltd.,
Mumbai, India. Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS)
copolymer (Absolac-120, with composition as: acryloni-
trile 24 wt%, styrene 59.5 wt% and rubber content 16.5
wt%) was obtained from Bayer India Ltd. CCVD synthe-
sized multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNT) were obtained
from Nanocyl CA Belgium (NC-3100, average length: 1.5
lm, average diameter: 9.5 nm, purity [95%). MWNT
were modied by octadecyl triphenyl phosponium
bromide (OTPB) and sodium salt of 6-amino hexanoic
acid (Na-AHA) in the ratio of 1:1 (MWNT:Na-AHA and
MWNT:OTPB) as described in ref [12].
DOI 10.1002/pen
 TABLE 1. Codes and designations of blends with MWNT and modied MWNT.

Sample Codes

Polyamide 6 PA6
Polypropylene PP
High density polyethylene HDPE
50/50 blends of PA6 and ABS Sample 1
40/30/30 PA6/PP/ABS blends Sample 2
34/33/33 PA6/PP/ABS blends Sample 3
30/25/25/20 PA6/PP/ABS/HDPE blends Sample 4
50/50 PA6/ABS blends with 2 wt% p-MWNT (without any pretreatment, direct addition) Sample 5
40/30/30 PA6/PP/ABS Blends with 2 wt% p-MWNT (without any pretreatment, direct addition) Sample 6
30/25/25/20 PA6/PP/ABS/HDPE Blends with 2 wt% p-MWNT (without any pretreatment, direct addition) Sample 7
50/50 PA6/ABS blends with 2 wt% MWNT (pretreated with Na-AHA in 1:1 wt ratio, direct addition) Sample 8
40/30/30 PA6/PP/ABS blends with 2 wt% MWNT (pretreated with Na-AHA in 1:1 wt ratio, direct addition) Sample 9
34/33/33 PA6/PP/ABS blends with 2 wt% MWNT (pretreated with Na-AHA in 1:1 wt ratio, direct addition) Sample 10
30/25/25/20 PA6/PP/ABS/HDPE blends with 2 wt% MWNT (pretreated with Na-AHA in 1:1 wt ratio, direct addition) Sample 11
50/50 PA6/ABS blends with 2 wt% p-MWNT (without any pretreatment, masterbatch) Sample 12
40/30/30 PA6/PP/ABS Blends with 2 wt% p-MWNT (without any pretreatment, masterbatch) Sample 13
34/33/33 PA6/PP/ABS Blends with 2 wt% p-MWNT (without any pretreatment, masterbatch) Sample 14
30/25/25/20 PA6/PP/ABS/HDPE Blends with 2 wt% p-MWNT (without any pretreatment, masterbatch) Sample 15
50/50 PA6/ABS blends with 2 wt% MWNT (pretreated with Na-AHA in 1:1 wt ratio, masterbatch) Sample 16
40/30/30 PA6/PP/ABS blends with 2 wt% MWNT (pretreated with Na-AHA in 1:1 wt ratio, masterbatch) Sample 17
34/33/33 PA6/PP/ABS blends with 2 wt% MWNT (pretreated with Na-AHA in 1:1 wt ratio, masterbatch) Sample 18
30/25/25/20 PA6/PP/ABS/HDPE blends with 2 wt% MWNT (pretreated with Na-AHA in 1:1 wt ratio, masterbatch) Sample 19
50/50 PA6/ABS blends with 2 wt% MWNT (pretreated with OTPB in 1:1 wt ratio, masterbatch) Sample 20
40/30/30 PA6/PP/ABS blends with 2 wt% MWNT (pretreated with OTPB in 1:1 wt ratio, masterbatch) Sample 21
34/33/33 PA6/PP/ABS blends with 2 wt% MWNT (pretreated with OTPB in 1:1 wt ratio, masterbatch) Sample 22
30/25/25/20 PA6/PP/ABS/HDPE blends with 2 wt% MWNT (pretreated with OTPB in 1:1 wt ratio, masterbatch) Sample 23

Binary (PA6/ABS, 50/50 wt/wt), ternary (PA6/PP/
ABS, 40/30/30, and 34/33/33 wt/wt/wt) and quaternary
blends (PA6/PP/ABS/HDPE, 30/25/25/20 wt/wt/wt/wt)
with MWNT were prepared by melt-mixing in a conical
twin-screw microcompounder (Micro 5, DSM Research,
Netherlands). Two different protocols of melt-mixing viz.
direct compounding (simultaneous mixing) and master-
batch dilution approach were followed to prepare the mul-
ticomponent blends with MWNT. For direct addition pro-
tocol, MWNT were compounded simultaneously with the
constituent polymers at 2608C with a rotational speed of
150 rpm for 15 min. In the masterbatch dilution protocol,
masterbatches of PA6 and MWNT (without or with pre-
treated Na-AHA and OTPB) were prepared (under the
same extrusion conditions mentioned above except for the
mixing time which was xed at 10 min) prior to com-
pounding with the other constituents. Required amount of
the masterbatch was then subsequently diluted further in
the next step of melt-mixing under the same extrusion
condition mentioned above except for the mixing time of
10 min. All blend components were predried in vacuum
oven at 808C for 24 h. All the experiments were per-
formed under nitrogen atmosphere in order to prevent oxi-
dative degradation of the components. The blend compo-
sitions with their sample codes are listed in Table 1.
Injection molded samples (according to ASTM D 638,
Type V, thickness: 3 mm; gauge length: 12 mm; width:
10 mm) were prepared using mini-injection molding
machine from DSM Research Netherlands. The injection-
molding parameters maintained for all the compositions
were: injection pressure 3 bar, melt temperature 2608C,
mold temperature 608C, holding time 60 s and cooling
time 23 min.
Characterization
Electrical Conductivity. The alternating current (AC)
electrical conductivity measurements were performed on
the injection molded samples (across the thickness) in the
frequency range between 1021 and 106 Hz using Alpha
high resolution analyzer coupled to a Novocontrol inter-
face.
SEM and Solution Experiments. The phase morphol-
ogy of the multicomponent polymer blends were investi-
gated by SEM. Extrudate samples were cryofractured in
liquid nitrogen and either etched with tetrahydrofuran
(THF) to selectively etch the ABS phase or in hot xylene
to selectively etch both PP and HDPE phases from the
blends. The etched surface was gold sputtered to avoid
charging of the sample. These samples were then
observed under SEM using Hitachi S3400N. For solution
experiment, small pieces of extrudate strands (corre-
sponding to 10 mg of MWNT) were dissolved in the
respective solvents to dissolve completely the phases. The
vials were photographed after 24 h.
% Cocontinuity Measurements. The continuity of
the PA6 phase (%) in the multicomponent blends was

DOI 10.1002/pen POLYMER ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE-2011 1989

determined by selective extraction technique as described
in the literature [17, 18]. For the blend system used, PA6
can be extracted using formic acid, which does not dis-
solve, swell, or penetrate into the other phases. Extruded
strands of 2 cm length were kept in formic acid at room
temperature for four days, to remove the PA6 phase com-
pletely from the blends. Samples were washed with fresh
solvent after 24 h and were kept again in the fresh sol-
vent. At the end of the 4th day samples were removed
and dried in the vacuum oven. The continuity of the PA6
phase (%) was calculated by taking the ratio of weight
difference before and after the selective extraction process
and the initial weight of the PA6 fraction in the blends.

Differential Scanning Calorimetry. Differential scan-

ning calorimetry (DSC) measurements were carried out
using a DSC Q10 from (TA instruments) under nitrogen
atmosphere. The extruded samples of about 5 mg were
dried in a vacuum oven prior to experiment. The samples
were heated till 2608C and were kept for 3 min to delete
any previous thermal history. Samples were then cooled
to 2208C at a rate of 108C/min and crystallization exo-
therms were recorded. Following this, samples were again
heated to 2608C at a heating rate of 108C/min wherein
melting endotherms for samples were recorded. The
degree of crystallinity (Xc) of a particular phase in multi-
component system was calculated as:

DHm
Xc  100 (1) FIG. 1. AC electrical conductivity of multicomponent blends with
DHm
o f
MWNT (2 wt%) (a) direct addition; and (b) masterbatch dilution approach.

where, DHm is the heat of fusion of particular phase in

the blends, DHm o
is the heat of fusion of 100% crystalline
material and f is the weight fraction of the particular
phase present in the blends. The heat of fusion of 100%
crystalline material was taken as 204.8 J/g for PA6, 207.1
J/g for PP and 290 J/g for HDPE.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
AC Electrical Conductivity Measurements
The unique role of sodium salt of 6-amino hexanoic
acid (Na-AHA) and phosponium salts in facilitating sub-
stantial debundling and subsequent renement of the
network-like structure of MWNT mediated by specic ABS blends with 2 wt% unmodied MWNT exhibited
interaction in binary co-continuous blends of PA6/ABS
has been investigated in detail earlier [12, 19]. In order to
extend this strategy in PA6-based blends the uniqueness
of this approach has been investigated in a more complex
situation viz. multicomponent blend system [20]. It was
also observed that beyond a critical concentration of
modier could lead to reaggregation of MWNT which
was found to affect adversely the bulk electrical conduc-
tivity of the system [12]. Further, it was found that excess
Na-AHA though could lead to enhanced electrical con-
ductivity but was adversely affecting the mechanical
properties. Hence, current investigation has been restricted
to the bulk electrical conductivity of the multicomponent
system with MWNT: modier ratio of 1:1. It is to be
noted that Na-AHA modied MWNT exhibited a percola-
tion threshold of 0.25 wt% of MWNT (MWNT:Na-AHA
1:30) in 50/50 PA6/ABS binary blends prepared by fol-
lowing sequential mixing protocol [6]. Moreover, OTPB
modied MWNT also exhibited a rened network-like
structure of MWNT in 50/50 PA6/ABS blends as indi-
cated by higher electrical conductivity at 2 wt% MWNT
content of 1:1 MWNT:OTPB ratio as compared to the
electrical conductivity of unmodied MWNT (of 2 wt%)
based 50/50 PA6/ABS blends [12]. Further, 50/50 PA6/
insulating behavior. Moreover, an electrical percolation
threshold of 34 wt% of MWNT was observed for 80/10/
10 and between 23 wt% 40/30/30 PA6/PP/ABS ternary
blends prepared by sequential mixing protocol [21, 22].
Figure 1a shows the AC electrical conductivity as a
function of frequency for binary (PA6/ABS), ternary
(PA6/PP/ABS) and quaternary (PA6/PP/ABS/HDPE)
blends with MWNT pretreated with Na-AHA in 1:1 (wt/
wt) ratio wherein the pretreated MWNT (2 wt%) have
been added simultaneously with the blend components.

1990 POLYMER ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE-2011 DOI 10.1002/pen

 TABLE 2. Torque and SFE values for blends constituents at 2608C.
a,b
Torque (N.m) SFE (at 2608C, mN/m)
PA6 2.39 36.4
PP 2.91 16
ABS 7.27 29.4 (corresponding to SAN with polarity 24.1%)
HDPE 4.48 22.02
MWNT 45.3
a
Calculated from axial force values recorded at the end of melt-mixing.
b
Average radius of screw (
0.5 cm).
All the blends with MWNT without any pretreatment ex-
hibit insulating behavior irrespective of the blend compo-
sition, hence representative compositions are shown only
with Na-AHA modied MWNT in Fig. 1a. It is evident
from Fig. 1a that the entire compositions exhibit insulat-
ing behavior even after utilizing MWNT pretreated with
Na-AHA. In an earlier investigation we have reported var-
ious factors viz. surface free energy difference, melt-vis-
cosity ratio and kinetic factors during melt-mixing which
inuence the specic localization of MWNT towards the
PA6 phase in 50/50 PA6/ABS blends [6]. Table 2 shows
the surface free energy values of the blend components
and the values of torque observed during melt-mixing.
The torque values obtained during melt-mixing are an in-
dication of melt viscosity. The lowest surface free energy
difference between PA6 and MWNT along with the
observed lower torque value for PA6 suggests that the
localization of MWNT may be favored in the PA6 phase.
Further, a signicant improvement in the bulk electrical
conductivity of PA6/ABS blends with MWNT pretreated
with Na-AHA was noticed by employing specic blend-
ing sequence [5]. In the present context, the insulating na-
ture of the multicomponent blends rather suggests that
inter-connected structure could not form between uni-
formly dispersed MWNT. Moreover, 50/50 PA6/ABS
blends exhibit an electrical percolation threshold between
4 and 5 wt% of MWNT content while adopting simulta-
neous mixing protocol [23]. Further, 50/50 PA6/ABS
blends also exhibit higher electrical conductivity at 5 wt%
MWNT content pretreated with Na-AHA (1:1). However,
a strong processing parameter dependence on electrical
conductivity has been observed suggesting the role of
smaller cluster of MWNT in the presence of Na-AHA
with respect to specic processing parameters in simulta-
neous mixing protocol in developing inter-connected
structures between MWNT [23].
An alternative way to disperse MWNT in a multicom-
ponent system is a masterbatch dilution approach wherein
high concentration of the ller can be predispersed in a
polymer matrix and then subsequently diluted in the suc-
cessive step. This approach has been extensively reported
in the literature in connection with MWNT based polymer
composites [18]. As one of the motivations behind this
study is to restrict the MWNT in the PA6 phase of the
blends, few masterbatches of PA6 with MWNT (with or
DOI 10.1002/pen
without pretreatment) were prepared and subsequently
diluted in the multicomponent blends. Figure 1b shows
the AC electrical conductivity as a function of frequency
for blends in which MWNT (with or without pretreat-
ment) have been incorporated via masterbatch dilution
approach. The concentration of MWNT has been kept
same (2 wt%) in all the blends studied here. All the
multicomponent blends with MWNT (without any
pretreatment) show insulating behavior (even with the
masterbatch dilution approach) suggesting that without
any pretreatment MWNT are rather dispersed as aggre-
gates (some of the compositions are excluded from
Fig. 1b for the sake of clarity). Interestingly, multicompo-
nent blends with MWNT (pretreated with Na-AHA)
exhibit electrical conductivity in the dissipative range.
These composites show a frequency independent pla-
teau (DC conductivity) up to a critical frequency (xc)
above which conductivity dispersion is observed. The AC
electrical conductivity of these blends follows Jonschers
Universal power law behavior depicted as:
sAC sDC Aon (2)
where A is a constant dependent on the temperature, and
n is an exponent (0 , n , 1) dependent on both fre-
quency and temperature. In the measured frequency win-
dow (106101 Hz) the shift in oc towards higher fre-
quency side indicates the higher extent of network-like
structure formation of MWNT in the composites. Further,
it has been observed that the bulk electrical conductivity
almost remains unchanged with slight variations in the
compositions in the ternary blends as well. For instance,
both the ternary blends (with either 33 wt% or 40 wt%
PA6) show almost similar DC electrical conductivity
however, exhibit lower electrical conductivity than the bi-
nary blends. Multicomponent blends with MWNT pre-
treated with OTPB exhibit orders of magnitude higher
electrical conductivity as compared to blends with
MWNT (without or pretreated with Na-AHA). Further, oc
increases signicantly in the blends with MWNT pre-
treated with OTPB indicating clearly the debundling and
subsequent renement in the network-like structure of
MWNT in the presence of OTPB. These observations can
be explained on the basis of large organic tail length of
OTPB which overcome the van der Waals forces between
MWNT and facilitates percolating network-like struc-
ture of MWNT in the composites. Interestingly, the ter-
nary blends show a moderate increase in the bulk electri-
cal conductivity as compared to the binary blends with
MWNT pretreated with OTPB. Such observations can be
expected in blends with co-continuous microstructures
wherein the concentration of MWNT required for devel-
oping percolating network-like structure decreases with
the concentration of the continuous phase. In this context,
it can then be argued that one would expect higher
bulk electrical conductivity in the quaternary blends as
compared to both binary and ternary blends as the
POLYMER ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE-2011 1991
concentration of the continuous PA6 phase is further
reduced. However, the bulk electrical conductivity of qua-
ternary blends shows a moderate decrease as compared to
both binary and ternary blends with MWNT. This obser-
vation will be elucidated further on investigating the
phase morphology of the blends and the % cocontinuity
measurements of the continuous PA6 phase which are dis-
cussed in the subsequent text. The better electrical con-
ductivity of blends prepared by masterbatch approach as
compared to the blends prepared by following direct mix-
ing protocol could be because of the better dispersion and
p electron clouds of MWNT achieved in the preparation
of masterbatch itself. The interactions between modier
and PA6 chains viz. melt interfacial reaction render uni-
form dispersion of MWNT in the PA6 phase in master-
batch which is further improved during melt-mixing in
multicomponent blends.
Mechanism of Improved Dispersion of MWNT in the
Presence of Na-AHA and OTPB
The debundling of MWNT in the presence of a modier
is achieved through either electrostatic charge repulsion or
steric stabilization process in the presence of the modier
molecules adsorbed on the surface of MWNT [2426]. The
modier molecules (viz. Na-AHA and OTPB) may get
adsorbed on the surface of MWNT during the sonication
process and may also penetrate into the bundles of MWNT.
It is expected that, in the presence of Na-AHA, in aqueous
solution, the Na ions will get dissociated and the corre-
sponding carboxylate molecule bearing negative charge may
get adsorbed on the surface of nanotubes. Since, Na ions
would be mobile throughout the solution because of the gain
in the entropy of the system, an electrical double-layer
may get created near the surface of MWNT with net nega-
tive charges. The formation of net negative charges on the
surface of MWNT may help in debundling through electro-
static charge repulsion. Further, debundling may also be
facilitated due to steric stabilization because of the chain
length corresponding to amino hexanoic acid. Further, in the
case of OTPB modication process, it is expected that in
ethanol, the adsorption of OTPB on the surface of MWNT
will be facilitated either through p-p interaction between
phenyl rings of OTPB and of MWNT or through cation-p
type of interaction between phosponium moiety and p-elec-
tron cloud of MWNT. In addition to this, the much longer
chain length of OTPB (corresponding to 18 C atoms) may
help in debundling through steric stabilization.
Also, the adsorption of these modiers is expected to
reduce the van der Waals forces of attraction between
MWNT, as the surface is covered and reduce their tend-
ency to reaggregate. Further, it is expected that debun-
dling of MWNT achieved in the presence of modiers is
persistent even in the solid powders. The dispersion of
MWNT in polymer matrix during melt-mixing has been
envisaged either through erosion or rupture process [27].
Both of these mechanisms exist to a different extent and
1992 POLYMER ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE-2011
are dependent on the melt-mixing conditions. It is
expected that the lower aggregate size of the cluster
achieved in the presence of modier may act as an inter-
mediate state for the rupture process facilitating the better
dispersion of MWNT in blends.
In case of multicomponent blends, the preferential
localization of MWNT in the PA6 phase is favored by
thermodynamic, kinetic as well as melt viscosity factor.
The modiers facilitate the dispersion process as they can
interact even with the PA6 chains. In case of blends with
Na-AHA modied MWNT, changes in the FTIR spectra
have been observed indicating the melt-interfacial reaction
between amine functionality of Na-AHA and acid end-
groups of PA6. Further, it has also been observed through
FTIR spectroscopy that there is a feasibility of interaction
between OTPB and PA6 chains. These interactions
between modier and PA6 chains suggest good dispersion
of modied MWNT in blends.
Phase Morphology of the Multicomponent Blends With
MWNT
Figures 24 show the SEM micrographs of the etched
surfaces of binary (PA6/ABS), ternary (PA6/PP/ABS) and
quaternary (PA6/PP/ABS/HDPE) blends with MWNT.
Figure 2 illustrates the SEM micrographs of THF etched
surfaces (to remove the ABS phase) of 50/50 PA6/ABS
blends with various MWNT (without or with pretreat-
ment). Figure 2a shows co-continuous type of microstruc-
ture in binary 50/50 blends of PA6/ABS with 2 wt%
MWNT (direct addition). Figure 2b shows a renement in
the co-continuous structure of the blends with masterbatch
of MWNT. An increase in the PA6 ligament thickness is
observed for blends with masterbatch of Na-AHA modi-
ed MWNT (Fig. 2c). Blends with masterbatch of OTPB
modied MWNT also show renement in the co-continu-
ous structure. Besides resulting in signicant improvement
in the bulk electrical conductivity these modiers also
result in ner co-continuous microstructures as manifested
from the ner ligament sizes of the phases. The observed
morphological changes in the presence of MWNT may be
related to the compatibilization-like action of MWNT.
Further, selective localization of MWNT in the PA6 phase
results in a change in the viscosity ratio of the blends. In
this context, it is to be noted that Na-AHA acts as a plasti-
cizer for PA6 [6], thus the observed increase in the PA6
ligament size in the blends in the presence of Na-AHA
modied MWNT originates from the lowered melt-viscos-
ity of the PA6 phase in the presence of Na-AHA.
Figure 3ad shows the morphology of cryo-fractured
ternary blends of 40/30/30 PA6/PP/ABS etched with THF
(to remove ABS phase) and followed by xylene (to
remove PP phase). Interestingly, one can clearly observe
the presence of continuous PA6 phase after extracting the
other two phases. Further, the strands were found to be
intact and self-supporting even after etching out both the
phases completely, conrming the co-continuous nature of
DOI 10.1002/pen
 FIG. 2. SEM micrographs of binary blends of 50/50 PA6/ABS (etched with THF) with (a) neat blends
(Sample 1), (b) p-MWNT (direct addition) (Sample 5), (c) masterbatch of p-MWNT (Sample 12), (d) master-
batch of Na-AHA modied MWNT (Sample 16), (e) masterbatch of OTPB modied MWNT (Sample 20) (f)
high magnication image of blends with OTPB modied MWNT (Sample 20) showing good dispersion of
MWNT (white dots) in the PA6 phase.

these blends. To get further insight into the continuity of
the phases the morphology of the ternary blends was also
investigated by removing only ABS phase (by THF). Fig-
ure 3e shows the co-continuous PA6 and PP phases pres-
ent in the blends. Higher magnication image of the
blends shows the presence of MWNT (observed as white
dots) predominantly in the PA6 phase (see Fig. 3f).
Figure 4 shows the SEM micrographs of quaternary
blends of 30/25/25/20 PA6/PP/ABS/HDPE. The samples
here have been etched with hot xylene to remove both PP
and HDPE phases from the blends and followed by THF
to remove the ABS phase. PA6 phase is observed to form
continuous structure in all the quaternary blends. Blends
with masterbatch of OTPB modied MWNT show signi-
cant renement in the phase dimension of PA6 phase as
compared to the blends with p-MWNT, masterbatch of p-
MWNT and masterbatch of Na-AHA modied MWNT.
Further, the strands have been observed to be intact even
after extraction of ABS, PP and HDPE phases which con-
tribute to 70 wt% of the composite. Higher magnication
image (Fig. 4e) of the blends with masterbatch of OTPB
modied MWNT shows MWNT involved in the forma-
tion of network-like structure in the PA6 phase contrib-
uting towards higher electrical conductivity.
To illustrate further the selective localization of
MWNT in the binary, ternary and quaternary blends; solu-
tion experiment was carried out. Figure 5a depicts the so-
lution experiment for quaternary blends wherein the
extruded strand has been dissolved in the formic acid.
The black color of solution observed in all the blends
(Fig. 5a, vials 14) suggests that MWNT are predomi-
nantly localized in the PA6 phase. On the other hand, the
extruded strand dissolved in the THF (for ABS phase,
Fig. 5b) and xylene (for PP and HDPE phase, Fig. 5c)
separately do not exhibit any black color, suggesting
MWNT are not localized in the ABS phase irrespective
of their modication. Similarly, the solution experiment
for binary and ternary blends also conrmed the presence
of MWNT predominantly in the PA6 phase irrespective
of the modication (The gures corresponding to solution
experiment of binary and ternary blends have not been
incorporated to avoid the repeatation).
The qualitatively observed cocontinuity of the PA6
phase during SEM is quantied through % cocontinuity
determination as explained in the experimental section.
Table 3 enlists the % cocontinuity of the PA6 phase in all
the blends. As observed from the Table 3, quaternary
blends show relatively less cocontinuity for the PA6
phase as compared to binary and ternary blends irrespec-
tive of the modication of MWNT. The observed lower
% cocontinuity of quaternary blends could be because of
the change in the melt viscosity ratio of blends, interfacial

DOI 10.1002/pen POLYMER ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE-2011 1993

 FIG. 3. SEM micrographs of ternary 40/30/30 PA6/PP/ABS blends (etched with THF and xylene) with (a)
neat blends (Sample 2), (b) p-MWNT (direct addition, Sample 6), (c) masterbatch of p-MWNT (Sample 13),
(d) masterbatch of Na-AHA modied MWNT (Sample 17) and (e) masterbatch of OTPB modied MWNT
(Sample 21), (f) blends (OTPB modied MWNT, (Sample 21)) etched with only THF to remove ABS phase
and (g) high magnication image of (f) showing MWNT localized predominantly in PA6 phase.

tension between the constituent polymers or blends com-
position [17].
Crystallization Behavior of Blends With MWNT
Presence of MWNT inuences greatly the crystalliza-
tion behavior of polymers. MWNT are found to act as
nucleating agents in PP [28], HDPE [29], PA6 [30] result-
ing in an increase in degree of crystallinity and crystalli-
zation temperature. The nucleating ability of MWNT
depends strongly on the state of dispersion of MWNT in
blends. DSC analysis of binary, ternary and quaternary
blends has been carried out to investigate the crystalliza-
tion behavior of PA6, PP, and HDPE in the blends, in

1994 POLYMER ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE-2011 DOI 10.1002/pen

 FIG. 4. SEM micrographs of quaternary 30/25/25/20 PA6/PP/ABS/HDPE blends (etched with THF and xy-
lene) with (a) neat blends (Sample 4), (b) p-MWNT (direct addition, Sample 7), (c) masterbatch of p-MWNT
(Sample 15), (d) masterbatch of Na-AHA modied MWNT (Sample 19) and (e) masterbatch of OTPB modi-
ed MWNT (Sample 23), (f) high magnication image of (e) showing MWNT involved in the network-
like structure formation in the PA6 phase.

presence of MWNT which could unequivocally conrm
the presence of MWNT in a specic phase.
Figure 6a shows the crystallization exotherms for bi-
nary 50/50 PA6/ABS blends with MWNT. Neat blends
show a single crystallization peak (Tc) centered at

1928C corresponding to PA6. Addition of MWNT (with
or without any pretreatment) results in a signicant
increase in the crystallization temperature. Tc is observed
to be
1968C for blends with MWNT prepared by direct
addition as well as masterbatch dilution approach (see
Table 4 for crystallization behavior of PA6 in blends). Tc
is slightly lower (
1958C) for blends with Na-AHA
modied MWNT as compared to blends with unmodied
MWNT.
Interestingly, blends with MWNT and blends with Na-
AHA modied MWNT show an additional crystallization
exotherm centered at
2088C. The appearance of second
crystallization exotherm in PA6/MWNT composites has
earlier been reported in the literature [3133]. Interest-
ingly, blends with OTPB modied MWNT show a single
crystallization exotherm at
1948C i.e. at a temperature
lower than the rst crystallization peak temperature of
PA6 in blends with MWNT or Na-AHA modied MWNT
(
1968C), however Tc of PA6 is higher than bulk Tc of
pure PA6 indicating the heteronucleating action of OTPB
modied MWNT as well.
Figure 6b shows the crystallization exotherms for ter-
nary PA6/PP/ABS 40/30/30 (wt/wt/wt) blends with
MWNT. Neat blends show two crystallization exotherms
centered at
1168C and
1918C corresponding to the
bulk crystallization temperature of PP and PA6, respec-
tively. Addition of MWNT results in the signicant
increase in the crystallization temperature of PA6 whereas
only marginal increase is observed in crystallization tem-
perature of PP (see Table 5 for crystallization behavior of
PP in blends). Similar to the binary blends, addition of

DOI 10.1002/pen POLYMER ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE-2011 1995


FIG. 5. Solution experiment for quaternary blends: 14, 58, 912
blends with p-MWNT (direct addition, Sample 7), p-MWNT masterbatch
(Sample 15), Na-AHA modied MWNT masterbatch (Sample 19) and
OTPB modied MWNT masterbatch (Sample 23) respectively wherein
blends are dissolved in formic acid (vials 14, Fig. a), ABS phase is dis-
solved in THF (vials 58, Fig. b) and PP and HDPE phase is dissolved
in xylene (vials 912, Fig. c) separately.
MWNT results in an additional crystallization exotherm
of PA6 at
2088C and slightly lower crystallization tem-
peratures corresponding to PA6 phase for blends with Na-
AHA modied MWNT. Further, blends with OTPB modi-
ed MWNT show a single crystallization exotherm for
PA6 at
1948C, again at a temperature lower than the
crystallization temperature of PA6 in blends with MWNT
or Na-AHA modied MWNT. In addition it is observed
that the slight change in the blends composition from 40/
30/30 to 34/33/33 results in no signicant changes in the
crystallization behavior of PP and PA6 and trends similar
to 40/30/30 blends are observed for these set of blends
(gure not shown here).
Figure 6c shows the crystallization exotherms of PP
and HDPE phases of 30/25/25/20 PA6/PP/ABS/HDPE
quaternary blends with MWNT. In these blends, PP and
HDPE exhibit cocrystallization at a temperature (
1178C)
in between the crystallization temperature of neat PP and
1996 POLYMER ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE-2011
neat HDPE (see Table 6 for crystallization behavior of
HDPE in blends). The cocrystallization of PP and HDPE
has also been observed earlier [34]. Addition of MWNT
or Na-AHA modied MWNT has no signicant effect on
the crystallization behavior of PP and HDPE. Figure 6d
depicts the crystallization behavior of PA6 phase in 30/
25/25/20 PA6/PP/ABS/HDPE blends with MWNT. Signif-
icant increase in the crystallization temperature of PA6 is
observed with addition of MWNT. Further, addition of
MWNT and Na-AHA modied MWNT has resulted in an
additional PA6 exotherm centered at
2088C similar to
binary and ternary blends. The second crystallization exo-
therm of PA6 is however, found to be absent for blends
with OTPB modied MWNT (Fig. 6d).
Overall, signicant increase is observed in the crystalli-
zation temperature of the PA6 in all blends with MWNT
with an additional peak at higher temperature except for
blends with OTPB modied MWNT. Marginal increase is
observed in crystallization temperature of PP and HDPE
in ternary and quaternary blends with MWNT. Signicant
increase in the crystallization temperature of the PA6
phase clearly indicates that maximum fractions of MWNT
are localized in the PA6 phase. Lower crystallization tem-
perature of PA6 in blends with Na-AHA modied MWNT
as compared to blends with MWNT can be correlated to
the plasticizing action of Na-AHA which has been eluci-
dated in PA6/ABS blends earlier [6].
The appearance of second crystallization exotherm in
PA6/MWNT composites has been discussed recently by
various researchers [3133]. Leibler et al. addressed the
existence of second crystallization exotherm with the
crystalline lamella near the interface of MWNT nucleated
directly by the surface of MWNT whereas, the rst crys-
tallization exotherm has not directly related to the nuclea-
tion at the surface of MWNT [33]. The possibility of for-
mation of different crystalline morphology resulting in
second crystallization exotherm is ruled out from the
TABLE 3. % Cocontinuity of PA6 phase in binary, ternary and
quaternary blends.
Sample codes % Cocontinuity of PA6
Sample 1 98
Sample 4 96
Sample 11 97
Sample 15 98
Sample 19 98
Sample 3 95
Sample 22 98
Sample 2 96
Sample 6 99
Sample 13 98
Sample 17 97
Sample 21 98
Sample 4 78
Sample 7 82
Sample 15 83
Sample 19 77
Sample 23 80
DOI 10.1002/pen
 FIG. 6. (a) Crystallization exotherms for binary 50/50 PA6/ABS blends with p-MWNT and modied
MWNT. (b) Crystallization exotherms for ternary 40/30/30 PA6/PP/ABS blends with p-MWNT and modied
MWNT. (c) Crystallization exotherms for PP and HDPE phase of quaternary 30/25/25/20 PA6/PP/ABS/
HDPE with p-MWNT and modied MWNT. (d) Crystallization exotherms for PA6 phase of quaternary 30/
25/25/20 PA6/PP/ABS/HDPE blends with p-MWNT and modied MWNT.

melting behavior of PA6 in blends (discussed in the sub-
sequent section). In this study, the presence of second
crystallization exotherm for blends with MWNT and Na-
AHA modied MWNT indicates that surface of MWNT
is unaffected upon the modication with Na-AHA.
Improved state of dispersion of MWNT after modication
with Na-AHA indicates that debundling of MWNT is
achieved in the initial stages of preparation and subse-
quently during the melt mixing melt interfacial reaction
may take place between amine functionality of Na-AHA
and acid end-group of PA6; Na-AHA thereby detaches
from the surface of MWNT leaving the surface available
for the nucleation of PA6 lamella. Whereas in the case of
blends with OTPB modied MWNT, the surface is likely
to be partially covered with OTPB making the nucleation
of PA6 lamella difcult for second crystallization exo-
therm. Further, OTPB modied MWNT are found to be
less effective nucleating agent resulting in lower crystalli-
zation temperature of PA6 in blends as compared to
blends with MWNT.
Figure 7ad shows the melting endotherms respectively
for binary, ternary and quaternary blends with or without
pretreated MWNT. Neat binary blends show two melting
endotherms corresponding to PA6 at around 2158C and
2208C. Neat ternary blends in addition to two melting
endotherms of PA6, show an additional melting endo-
therm around 1608C corresponding to PP phase. Neat
quaternary blends show two melting endotherms for PA6
around 2158C and 2208C and one melting endotherm each
for PP and HDPE at around 1608C and 1318C, respec-
tively. All the blends with MWNT (MWNT/Na-AHA
modied MWNT or OTPB modied MWNT) show single
melting endotherm for PA6 around 2208C and a slight
increase in melting temperature of PP and HDPE. Further,
blends with modied MWNT (Na-AHA as well as OTPB)
exhibit slightly lower melting temperature for PA6 as
compared to neat blends and blends with MWNT. Lower
melting temperature of PA6 conrms the plasticizing
action of the modiers on PA6 component.
The double melting endotherms may arise from the
presence of two crystalline forms of PA6; pseudohexago-
nal c-crystalline form and monoclinic a-crystalline form
or due to a process melting-recrystallization-melting
phenomenon [35]. Lower melting endotherm corresponds
to metastable c-crystalline form whereas relatively higher
temperature melting endotherm corresponds to a-crystal-
line form. It has been observed that the presence of
both the crystalline forms of PA6 may arise due to the

DOI 10.1002/pen POLYMER ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE-2011 1997

TABLE 4. Crystallization temperature (8C), melting temperature (8C), TABLE 6. Crystallization temperature (8C), melting temperature (8C),
heat ow (J/g) and degree of crystallinity (%) of PA6 in binary, ternary heat ow (J/g), and degree of crystallanity (%) of HDPE in quaternary
and quaternary blends. blends.

Composition Tc (8C) Tm (8C) DHm (J/g) Xc (%) Composition Tc (8C) Tm (8C) DHm (J/g) Xc (%)

PA6 192 220 76.8 37.5 HDPE 118 133 220.4 76.0
Sample 1 192 220 80.2 39.2 Sample 4 117 131 166.0 57.3
Sample 3 191 221 40.8 19.9 Direct addition
Sample 2 191 220 49.9 24.1 Sample 7 117 131 147.9 51.0
Sample 4 191 220 51.4 25.1 Sample 11 117 131 149.7 51.7
Direct addition Masterbatch approach
Sample 5 196, 208 220 50.4 24.6 Sample 15 117 132 141.4 48.8
Sample 6 196, 209 220 60.4 29.5 Sample 23 117 132 125.9 43.4
Sample 7 195, 210 221 38.4 18.8
Sample 8 195, 207 220 67.3 32.9 The degree of crystallinity of HDPE phase in multicomponent blends
Sample 9 195, 207 219 56.2 27.5 was calculated as: Xc (DHm normalized/DHom ) 3 100 where DHom
Sample 10 194, 207 219 54.0 26.4 290 J/g.
Sample 11 194, 207 219 45.7 22.3
Masterbatch approach
Sample 12 196, 208 220 49.9 24.4
Sample 13 196, 208 220 65.8 32.1
processing induced crystallization viz. in case of injection
Sample 14 195, 208 220 65.2 31.8 molding. Wide angle X-ray diffraction studies conrmed
Sample 15 195, 209 221 39.2 19.2 the existence of only single crystalline form, a for PA6
Sample 16 195, 208 220 67.1 32.8 in compression molded lms of PA6/MWNT composites
Sample 17 195, 208 219 65.0 31.7 whereas both the polymorphic forms were observed in
Sample 18 194, 208 219 57.9 28.0
Sample 20 194 220 58.8 28.7
injection molded specimens [31]. Further, existence of
Sample 21 194 220 57.9 28.3 single melting endotherm in blends with MWNT elimi-
Sample 22 194 220 49.0 24.0 nates the possibility of second crystallization peak arising
Sample 23 193 220 40.0 19.5 from formation of different crystalline morphology.
The degree of crystallinity of PA6 phase in multicomponent blends
was calculated as: Xc (DHm normalized/DHom ) 3 100 where DHom
204.8 J/g. CONCLUSIONS
In summary, signicant improvements in AC electrical
conductivity of co-continuous binary (PA6/ABS), ternary
(PA6/PP/ABS) and quaternary (PA6/PP/ABS/HDPE)
polymer blends with MWNT pretreated with either Na-
TABLE 5. Crystallization temperature (8C), melting temperature (8C),
heat ow (J/g), and degree of crystallanity (%) of PP in ternary and
AHA or OTPB was achieved by utilizing masterbatch
quaternary blends. dilution approach mediated by specic interaction in con-
junction with melt interfacial reaction during melt-mixing.
Composition Tc (8C) Tm (8C) DHm (J/g) Xc (%) The large organic tail lengths of OTPB had a greater
inuence on the state of dispersion of MWNT and on the
Sample 3 116 160 154 74.6
Sample 2 117 160 138 66.8
subsequent bulk AC electrical conductivity in multicom-
Sample 4 117 160 166 57.3 ponent blends.
Direct addition Masterbatch dilution approach has resulted in selective
Sample 6 117 160 118.1 57.0 localization of pretreated MWNT in the PA6 phase of the
Sample 7 117 160 127.0 61.4
multicomponent blends leading to improvement in AC
Sample 10 118 160 48.1 23.2
Sample 9 118 160 53.5 25.9
electrical conductivity as compared to the blends prepared
Sample 11 117 160 58.3 28.2 by direct addition protocol. SEM and solution experi-
Masterbatch approach ments further supported the selective localization of
Sample 13 115 159 66.6 32.2 MWNT in the PA6 phase. The crystallization behavior of
Sample 14 115 159 81.6 39.4 the blend constituents, mainly PA6 phase was greatly
Sample 15 117 160 130.7 63.2
Sample 17 117 160 68.2 33.0 affected by the presence of MWNT in the blends as indi-
Sample 18 118 160 68.6 33.1 cated from the varying Tc corresponding to the PA6
Sample 21 115 160 71.4 34.5 phase; further substantiating the localization of major
Sample 22 114 159 65.2 31.5 fraction of MWNT in the PA6 phase.
Sample 23 117 160 53.0 25.6 Overall, it can be concluded that masterbatch dilution
The degree of crystallinity of PP phase in multi-component blends
process has been found to be effective in restricting
was calculated as: Xc (DHm normalized/DHom ) 3 100 where DHom MWNT specically in one of the phases in multicompo-
207.1J/g. nent blends provided MWNT could be modied by

1998 POLYMER ENGINEERING AND SCIENCE-2011 DOI 10.1002/pen

 FIG. 7. (a) Melting endotherms for binary 50/50 PA6/ABS blends with p-MWNT and modied MWNT.
(b) Melting endotherms for ternary 40/30/30 PA6/PP/ABS blends with p-MWNT and modied MWNT. (c)
Melting endotherms for PP and HDPE phase of quaternary 30/25/25/20 PA6/PP/ABS/HDPE blends with p-
MWNT and modied MWNT. (d) Melting endotherms for PA6 phase of quaternary 30/25/25/20 PA6/PP/
ABS/HDPE blends with p-MWNT and modied MWNT.

Na-AHA or OTPB. This has resulted in renement of
network-like structure of MWNT in a continuous PA6
phase.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors would also like to thank Micro-
compounder Central facility at IIT Bombay.
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DOI 10.1002/pen