Abstract
The formation/disruption of the electron hopping pathways is considered to be one of the dominant mechanisms affecting macroscale effective piezoresistive response of carbon nanotube (CNT)-polymer nanocomposites. In this study, a computational micromechanics model is developed using finite element techniques to capture the effect of electron hopping induced conductive pathways at the nanoscale which contribute to the macroscale piezoresistive response of the CNT-polymer nanocomposites. In addition, damage is allowed to evolve at the CNT-polymer interface through electromechanical cohesive zones resulting in disruption of electron hopping pathways in the direction of applied strain. The impact of the electron hopping mechanism and nanoscale interfacial damage evolution on the effective piezoresistive response is studied through the macroscale effective material properties and gauge factors evaluated using micromechanics techniques based on electrostatic energy equivalence. It is observed that the interfacial damage at the nanoscale results in lower gauge factors as compared to the perfectly bonded interface.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 callDisclaimer: 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.
