Polyolefin elastomer/cyclic olefin copolymer/multi‐walled carbon nanotubes nanocomposites: Rheological, morphological, electrical and mechanical study

Abstract The subject of this research is a relatively detailed investigation of the rheological, morphological and electrical properties of nanocomposites based on polyolefin elastomer (POE), cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) and multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). To formulate a mixture of two polymers (COC and POE), the melt mixing method was used and their morphology was studied by SEM technique and it was found that the morphology is of co‐continuous type. When the weight percentage ratio of COC was between 40 and 60, the desired morphology (co‐continuous) appeared. Interfacial tension calculations and TEM images proved that the nanotube particles were stabilized both within the phase of POE as well as at the interface of the two polymer phases. The rheological behavior was analyzed for composite samples containing 0–3 wt % MWCNT. The electrical and rheological percolation thresholds appeared at 1 and a 0.5 percent by weight of nanotube particles, respectively, which may be better to consider as related to the phenomenon of dual percolation. The highest conductivity was obtained for the nanocomposite containing 3% MWCNT. The results of mechanical tests also showed a strong upward trend of properties due to the addition of nanotube. Highlights The effect of COC content on the morphology of POE/COC blend was investigated. The Morphology for the POE/COC blend at low COC content was droplet‐matrix type. MWCNT has a greater tendency to be in the POE phase than COC. Rheological behavior strongly depended on the amount of nanotube particles. The highest conductivity was obtained for the sample containing 3% MWCNT.