Polymer matrix-TiO2 composites were prepared in three different filler concentrations. The electrical relaxation dynamics as well as the electrical conductivity of all samples were examined by means of Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopy (BDS) over a wide frequency and temperature range. The recorded relaxation response includes contributions from both the polymer matrix and the reinforcing phase. Two relaxation modes (β and γ) are observed in the low temperature region, which are attributed to the re-orientation of polar side groups of the matrix and rearrangement of small parts of the polymeric chain respectively. The α-relaxation and the Maxwell-Wagner-Sillars effect (MWS), attributed to the glassrubber transition of the polymeric matrix and to interfacial polarization phenomena respectively, are observed in the high temperature region. These two mechanisms are superimposed, thus a computer simulation procedure was followed in order to distinguish them. MWS effect becomes more pronounced with increasing concentration of the filler following an Arrhenius behaviour. The relaxation frequencies corresponding to α-mode follow the Vogel-Tamann-Fulcher (VTF) equation. An additional relaxation mode is recorded at relatively high temperatures and high frequencies. Its occurrence and dynamics are related to the presence and the concentration of the filler. Finally, the Direct Current (DC) conductivity follows the VTF equation

Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopy (BDS) is employed in order to investigate relaxation phenomena occurring in natural rubber (NR), polyurethane rubber (PUR) and PUR/NR blend based nanocomposites, reinforced by 10 parts per hundred (phr) Layered Silicates (LS). Nanocomposites and matrices were examined under identical conditions in a wide frequency (10–1 to 106 Hz) and temperature (–100 to 50°C) range. Experimental data are analyzed in terms of electric modulus formalism. The recorded relaxation phenomena include contributions from both the polymer matrices and the nanofiller. Natural rubber is a non-polar material and its performance is only slightly affected by the presence of layered silicates. Polyurethane rubber exhibits four distinct relaxation processes attributed, with ascending relaxation rate, to Interfacial Polarization (IP), glass/rubber transition (α-mode), local motions of polar side groups and small segments of the polymer chain (β, γ-mode). The same processes have been detected in all systems containing PUR. IP is present in all nanocomposites being the slowest recorded process. Finally, pronounced interfacial relaxation phenomena, occurring in the PUR+10 phr LS spectra, are attributed to nanoscale effects of intercalation and exfoliation

A versatile processing technique for fabricating epoxy nanocomposites with a high weight fraction of oxidized multi-walled carbon nanotubes is presented. Thin carbon nanotube based preforms were prepared through an oxidation-filtration protocol and then immersed in a pre-polymerized epoxy/curing agent solution in acetone. By adjusting the conditions for the oxidation of carbon nanotubes and the epoxy concentration in the as-prepared solution, high loading of graphitic nanostructures was obtained. Tensile tests indicated that the elastic modulus and strength of certain composites prepared by in situ polymerization as above were improved by 100% and 60%, respectively, compared to neat epoxy. In addition, the composite sheets showed comparable electrical conductivity values to the neat carbon nanotube paper. These results suggest that targeted chemical modification of the carbon nanotube surface is an effective way to enhance the electrical and mechanical properties of carbon nanotube-polymer composites.