Abstract

Electrical conductivity of most polymeric insulators can be drastically enhanced by introducing a small volume fraction [Formula: see text] of conductive nanofillers. These nanocomposites find wide-ranging engineering applications from cellular metamaterials to strain sensors. In this work, we present a mathematical model to predict the effective electrical conductivity of carbon nanotubes (CNTs)/polymer nanocomposites accounting for the conductivity, dimensions, volume fraction, and alignment of the CNTs. Eshelby’s classical equivalent inclusion method (EIM) is generalized to account for electron-hopping—a key mechanism of electron transport across CNTs, and is validated with experimental data. Two measurements, namely, the limit angle of filler orientation and the probability distribution function, are used to control the alignment of CNTs within the composites. Our simulations show that decreasing the angle from a uniformly random distribution to a fully aligned state significantly reduces the transverse electrical conductivity, while the longitudinal conductivity shows less sensitivity to angle variation. Moreover, it is observed that distributing CNTs with non-uniform probability distribution functions results in an increase in longitudinal conductivity and a decrease in transverse conductivity, with these differences becoming more pronounced as the volume fraction of CNTs is increased. A reduction in CNT length decreases the effective electrical conductivity due to the reduced number of available conductive pathways while reducing CNT diameter increases the conductivity.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.