Development of Highly Oriented Polyethylene Filled with Aligned Carbon Nanotubes by Gelation/Crystallization from Solutions

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) composites were prepared by gelation/crystallization from solution. The dried composites of MWNTs−UHMWPE with 15 wt % of MWNTs would be elongated up to more than 100-fold (λ = 100). The electric conductivity was 10 -3 S/cm termed as conductive materials, and the Young's modulus reached 58 GPa at room temperature. The composites possess extraordinary stability in electric conductivity during many repeated heating cycles from room temperature to 150 °C. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that MWNTs with continuous networks are oriented predominantly parallel to the stretching direction. Such characteristic alignment of MWNTs was found to play an important role in forming effective conductive paths in the highly oriented composites.