Abstract

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Polyester fabric (100%) was electrically functionalized by dyeing in pristine multi-walled carbon nanotubes in Miranol at different shades (0.1 - 6.0) % (owf). Aniline was then polymerized within each of the fabric samples using Sulphuric acid and Potassium peroxydisulphate at oxidant: monomer ratio 1.25 and LR 40:1. After polymerization, the conductivity percolation threshold reduced from 1.0 – 2.5 % to 0.5 – 1.0 % shade (owf) and the electrical conductivity increased by at least 14 orders of magnitude. At 5% shade, the conductivity was 1.0 x 10־4 S/cm, from a control material with 1.2 x 1012 ῼ.m resistivity. Comparing 1.0 % and 3.5 %, the difference in conductivity was 680 orders of magnitude.

Keywords: Carbon nanotubes; Monomer; Oxidant; Impregnation; Polymerization; Percolation threshold; electrical conductivity