Development of Conventional Paul Model for Tensile Modulus of Polymer Carbon Nanotube Nanocomposites After Percolation Threshold by Filler Network Density

Abstract

In this paper, Paul’s model is advanced to forecast the tensile modulus of polymer nanocomposites reinforced by carbon nanotubes (CNT) above percolation onset. The developed model assumes the CNT network density by CNT aspect ratio (α), percolation onset and CNT density (n). The experimental results from several samples containing a filler network confirm the predictability of the advanced model. However, undesirable results are reported for the samples without the filler network. Also, both α and n directly manipulate the nanocomposite’s modulus above percolation onset, because they positively influence the polymer-CNT interfacial area and network size. The reasonable effects of α, n and percolation onset on the predicted moduli of nanocomposites validate the developed Paul model.