Melt processing of composites of PVDF and carbon black modified with conducting polymers

Conductive composites from poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and a novel thermally stable conductive additive made via in situ deposition of polyaniline or polypyrrole on carbon black particles were produced by a melting process. Electrical conductivity in the order of 10−2 S/cm could be achieved with low contents of the conductive filler. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that there is no appreciable degradation of the composites at temperatures as high as 300°C. Moreover, the addition of the conducting polymer‐modified carbon black additive is advantageous to the melt processing of the composites, reducing the melt viscosity in comparison to the addition of pure carbon black. Composites containing the β‐phase of PVDF could be obtained via quenching from the melt, as indicated by X‐Ray diffraction analysis. The type and amount of the additive and the quenching rate influence the formation of β‐phase in the PVDF composites.