Comparative study of gamma and ion beam irradiation of polymeric nanocomposite on electrical conductivity

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) was used to prepare nanocomposites of multi‐wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) and functionalized carbon nanotubes (MWCNT‐NH₂) in existence of 2‐carboxyethyl acrylate oligomers (CEA). Radiation‐induced crosslinking of the prepared matrix was carried out via gamma and ion beam irradiation. A comparative study of gamma and ion beam irradiation effect on the electrical conductivity of nanocomposite was conducted. The gelation of the gamma irradiated matrix outperforms the ion beam irradiated matrix. The order of gelation is PVA > (PVA/CEA) > (PVA/CEA)‐MWCNT > (PVA/CEA)‐MWCNT‐NH₂. There is a significant reduction in the swelling of the nanocomposite. The formation of nanocomposites was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, energy‐dispersive X‐ray (EDX) and FTIR examinations. The direct current electrical properties of PVA/nanocomposites are examined at room temperature by applying electric voltage from 1 to 20 V. The results revealed that the electrical conductivity is increased by adding the carbon nanotubes and irradiation by gamma and ion beam. At an applied electric voltage 20 V, in the electrical conductivity of the unirradiated PVA was from 9.20 × 10^?8 S cm^?1. After adding MWCNT an increase up to 4.70 × 10^?5 S cm^?1 was observed. While after ion beam irradiation, a further increase up to 9.30 × 10^?5 S cm^?1 was noticed. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46146.