Direct imaging of the percolation network in a three-dimensional disordered conductor-insulator composite.

Abstract

We have directly imaged the percolation network at the surface of a three-dimensional carbon-black-polymer composite using an electric force microscope. At intermediate length scales the conductive area exposed at the surface increases with surface area according to a power law corresponding to a three-dimensional infinite cluster of fractal dimension $D=2.6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1$. This value is in good agreement with the scaling theory prediction, $D=2.53$. At large length scales the behavior is homogenous with the classical exponent $D=3$.