Polarization, energetics, and electrorheology in carbon nanotube suspensions under an applied electric field: An exact numerical approach

Abstract

We theoretically investigate the polarization, aggregation, and yield stress in carbon nanotube suspensions under an electric field. The nanotubes are modeled as solid rods with hemispherical ends. An exact numerical approach, which includes self-consistent Coulomb interactions within classical electrostatics, is employed to derive nanotube surface charge densities. Two essential nanotube characteristics, i.e., large aspect ratios and end contributions, are included together. The reliability of the model is demonstrated by comparing the calculated emerging yields against experimental data. The onsets of system parameters can be used to control the phase transition in nanotube suspensions.