Functionally graded carbon black loaded polymeric materials

Interest in carbon black (CB) loaded composite plastics is connected with the easy of changing their conductivity and permittivity in broad intervals by changing the CB-concentration. However, the processing technology shows also a significant effect on the conductivity and permittivity of the composite material in broad intervals of several orders of magnitudes at the same CB-concentration. The creation of the CB-conductive network, the reversible or irreversible dispersion of CB-particles can result from specific processing technologies respectively. A local level of conductivity and permittivity can be achieved by a local control of the electrostatic repulsion potential between the CB-particles. This is facilitated e.g. by consecutive changing of the local temperature and/or external direct or alternating electrical fields. Understanding of the specific processing technology can lead to new applications in two ways: in selectively increased conductivity (e.g. conductive and isolation paths in electrical circuits in polymer films) and in new supercapacitors.