Conductive Poly(vinylidene fluoride)/Copper Hybrids: Mechanical Response and Percolation Threshold

Hybrids based on PVDF-copper nanoparticles have been prepared via simple blending and hot molding technique and, then, their morphological aspects, mechanical response as well as viscoelastic properties have been evaluated. In addition, the dependence of dielectric properties of the composites on filler volume fraction over a broad frequency range has been investigated. The percolation threshold of the composite, that is 7.3 vol.% (0.073 volume fraction), is much lower than that reported in common two-phase polymer-metal particle composites. Large enhancements of conductivity, dielectric constant and loss tangent are obtained, these features making these composites suitable for electromagnetic interference shielding applications.