Preparation, characterization, and electrical properties of ZSM‐5/PEG composite particles

ZSM‐5/PEG composites were synthesized by a simple solution method with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and H‐ZSM‐5 zeolite (Si/Al = 11.4). The obtained composites were characterized using X‐ray powder diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The obtained results indicated that the ZSM‐5 was physically combined with PEG. The thermal properties and thermal stability were investigated by thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses. In situ electrical conductivity was used to follow‐up the changes in the electrical conductance during the heating of the ZSM‐5/PEG composite. It was found that ZSM‐5 is able to effectively enhance the electrical conductivity of PEG. The results showed that the obtained weight loss during the composite decomposition to charcoal is accompanied by a decrease in the electrical conductivity. Moreover, the removal of the formed charcoal is associated with an electrical conductivity increase. Calcining the ZSM‐5/PEG composite having a content of 30% results in many effects on the structural, textural, and electrical properties of the obtained products. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:1160–1168, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers