Percolation Concentration Research Articles

Characterization of Bilayer Organic Solar Cells with Carbon Nanotubes Using Impedance Analysis.

Four organic solar cell (OSC) devices with the bilayer heterojunction architecture were investigated, where carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were doped within the acceptor layer. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the CNT-incorporated device with a concentration of 0.004 wt% is approximately 20% point higher than that of the reference one. As the concentration of CNTs became higher, the PCE of the devices deteriorated; this could be caused by the percolative connection of CNTs within the layer. The voltage dependence on the effective lifetime of the charge carriers, determined by Cole-Cole curves of the impedance analysis, was different for the reference and CNT-incorporating devices-the lifetime of the CNT-incorporated ones was shorter, possibly owing to the high local electric field near the CNTs. Controlling the concentration of CNTs below the critical concentration of percolation is a key factor in achieving high photovoltaic performance.

Microscopic insights into the failure of elastic double networks

The toughness of a polymer material can increase significantly if two networks are combined into one material. This toughening effect is a consequence of a transition from a brittle to a ductile failure response. Although this transition and the accompanying toughening effect have been demonstrated in hydrogels first, the concept has been proven effective in elastomers and in macroscopic composites as well. This suggests that the transition is not caused by a specific molecular architecture, but rather by a general physical principle related to the mechanical interplay between two interpenetrating networks. Here we employ theory and computer simulations, inspired by this general principle, to investigate how disorder controls the brittle-to-ductile transition both at the macroscopic and the microscopic level. A random spring network model featuring two different spring types, enables us to study the joined effect of initial disorder and network-induced stress heterogeneity on this transition. We reveal that a mechanical force balance gives a good description of the brittle-to-ductile transition. In addition, the inclusion of disorder in the spring model predicts four different failure regimes along the brittle-to-ductile response in agreement with experimental findings. Finally, we show that the network structure can result in stress concentration, diffuse damage and loss of percolation depending on the failure regime. This work thus provides a framework for the design and optimization of double network materials and underlines the importance of network structure in the toughness of polymer materials.

Effects of molecular weight and crystallizability of polylactide on the cellulose nanocrystal dispersion quality in their nanocomposites

This study investigated how cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) dispersion quality and its percolation network formation could be influenced when using polylactide (PLA) with various molecular weights and crystallizability. In this context, systematic rheological experiments were conducted on PLA/CNC nanocomposites prepared through solution casting method using dimethylformamide (DMF) as the solvent. It was found that lower CNC percolation concentrations could be obtained when a PLA matrix possesses lower molecular weight as the shorter chains and CNCs interpenetration could be facilitated during their dissolution in the solvent. On the other hand, the CNC percolation concentration was further lowered when the PLA with higher crystallizability was used. During the solvent evaporation step that occurred at 85 °C, the isothermal heterogeneous crystallization of PLA around the dispersed CNCs could prevent the driving force of the CNCs towards their re-agglomeration. Therefore, the finest CNC dispersion was appeared in the highly crystallizable low molecular weight PLA through which the rheological properties were dramatically improved and the thermal stability was significantly extended to higher temperatures. The crystallization behavior of the prepared nanocomposites was also analyzed using differential scanning calorimeter and X-ray diffractometer. The thermal degradation behavior of the PLA/CNC nanocomposites were examined through thermogravimetric and rheological analysis.

PET/Graphene Compatibilization for Different Aspect Ratio Graphenes via Trimellitic Anhydride Functionalization

Two trimellitic anhydride-functionalized, thermally reduced graphenes with different aspect ratios, Af, and the same C/O ratio (8:1) were prepared and melt-mixed into poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), and the mechanical properties of the resulting nanocomposites were studied with a focus on plastic deformation behavior. A slight increase in the G′ of the melt was observed for the surface-modified low-Af graphene composites (Af = 20) below the percolation threshold, whereas a significant enhancement in G′ was observed for higher-Af graphene composites (Af = 80) at all graphene loadings, both below and above the percolation concentration. Furthermore, the use of modified low-Af graphene caused an improvement both in Young’s modulus and elongation at break of the resulting PET nanocomposites because of enhancement of interfacial adhesion between filler and matrix which resulted in the formation of a coupled network via covalent bonding and the suppression both of strain-induced orientation and strain-induced crystallization. By contrast, the use of modified higher-Af surface graphene in nanocomposites caused a drastic improvement in Young’s modulus but lower elongation-at-break than with the unmodified counterpart; the former effect is due to the formation of denser coupled networks and stronger interfacial adhesion as a result of graphene surface modification and the latter is due to the added geometrical restriction in unentangling chains from the PET matrix in the presence of higher-Af graphene. The preceding observations demonstrate the potential impacts of tuning both surface chemistry and aspect ratio of graphene in the fabrication of PET/graphene composites.

Percolation and Transport Properties in The Mechanically Deformed Composites Filled with Carbon Nanotubes

The conductivity and percolation concentration of the composite material filled with randomly distributed carbon nanotubes were simulated as a function of the mechanical deformation. Nanotubes were modelled as the hard-core ellipsoids of revolution with high aspect ratio. The evident anisotropy was observed in the percolation threshold and conductivity. The minimal mean values of the percolation of 4.6 vol. % and maximal conductivity of 0.74 S/m were found for the isotropic composite. Being slightly aligned, the composite demonstrates lower percolation concentration and conductivity along the orientation of the nanotubes compared to the perpendicular arrangement.

An Insight into Phenomenology of Polytrimethylene Terephthalate Fibrillation

AbstractThe objective of this work is to analyze the effect of the processing temperature on fibrillation of the dispersed phase and to correlate melt viscoelastic responses to formed morphologies. A blend system of polypropylene (PP)/polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) with varying ratios (PP/PTT: 99/1, 94/6, 90/10, and 80/20) is prepared on a co‐rotating twin screw extruder, and then pelletized blend samples are fed into a laboratory mixing extruder to spin monofilaments at three different orifice temperatures of 180, 195, and 240 °C. As revealed by scanning electron microscopy, a nano‐fibrillar morphology forms after employing spinning. Rheological approach performed in the linear region shows a transition from terminal trend into non‐terminal trend in the low‐frequency region when the fibrillar morphology forms, the magnitude and width of which are reflective of the fibril growth. Transient stress measurements prove its capability to enable the blend system to show potentials of morphology development during dynamic tests. Startup of steady shear flow shows that after reaching the percolation concentration of dispersed phase, fibril–fibril coalescence leads to the formation of long fibrils whose contribution to the blend system increases the elasticity of the blend fibers.

Porcine IVF embryo development and estrogen receptors are influenced by the concentration of percoll gradients during sperm selection.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of three different concentrations of discontinuous gradients of percoll (90/45, 80/40, and 70/35) in the outcome of porcine in vitro fertilization (IVF) and its influence on further embryo development and quality. Embryo viability was assessed by the expression of estrogen receptors (E2 R) and cleaved caspase-3 (CC3). The highest percoll concentration (90/45) resulted in the lowest embryo production (24.9%) in comparison with 80/40 (37.5%) and 70/35 (40.0%), with the production being similar between the two lowest concentrations. The hatching rate for 90/45 (26.2%) was lower than for 80/40 (45.5%), and both were similar to the Group 70/35 (32.9%). The hatched embryos from the concentration 90/45 showed the lowest proportion of E2 R expression (3.6%), while the Groups 80/40 (22.6%) and 70/35 (39.3%) had a similar proportion of expression. The live embryos that did not hatch until Day 8 of culture presented a higher CC3 proportion for Group 90/45 (18.3%), in comparison with 80/40 (12.7%) and 70/35 (10.7%), with the latter two being similar. In conclusion, adjustments in percoll concentration used for sperm selection before porcine IVF can improve embryo production and competence for pregnancy recognition and establishment.

Girassol suplementado com percolado de aterro sanitário e submetido à salinidade

O percolado de aterro sanitário é um líquido produzido a partir de processos físicos, químicos e biológicos aos quais os resíduos sólidos urbanos são submetidos nos aterros sanitários. Apresenta uma composição físico-química variável e pode conter altos teores de nutrientes, sendo assim empregado na fertilização de plantas. Por isso, objetivou-se avaliar o crescimento de plantas de girassol irrigadas com água de moderada salinidade e com suplementação nutricional com percolado de aterro sanitário. O experimento foi conduzido em área experimental com cobertura de nylon (sombrite), sob delineamento inteiramente casualizado em um fatorial 4 x 2, sendo [1: 100% de areia de granulometria fina - NBR 6502; 2: areia + adubo/fertilizante orgânico misto (mistura de bagaço de cana, esterco bovino, esterco de galinha, serragem de madeira e gesso agrícola) e 80 kg de N ha-1, 3: areia + percolado de aterro sanitário e 80 kg de N ha-1; e 4: areia + percolado de aterro sanitário e 160 kg de N ha-1] e duas concentrações salinas da água de irrigação [irrigação com água destilada ou solução de NaCl a 60 mM], com 10 repetições, em vasos de 12 L. Foram realizadas análises de crescimento (altura, diâmetro do coleto, número de folhas), teores relativos de clorofila e diâmetro dos capítulos. Nas condições experimentais empregadas, substrato arenoso, as concentrações de percolado de aterro sanitário utilizadas promoveram incrementos em todas as variáveis de crescimento analisadas nas plântulas de girassol, especialmente a 80 Kg N ha-1. A irrigação com solução de NaCl a 60 mM não ocasionou efeitos negativos nas variáveis de crescimento, demonstrando assim a tolerância moderada das plantas de girassol à salinidade em substrato arenoso.

Magnetoelectric Effect in a Paramagnetic Region in Gd0.15Mn0.85Se

The electric polarization in a zero magnetic field and in a magnetic field of 12 kOe is measured in a GdxMn1 – xSe solid solution in the percolation concentration region in the temperature range 80–380 K. For composition x = 0.15, the polarization hysteresis and the dependence of the remanent polarization on magnetic field and temperature are determined. The hysteresis is explained in the model of migration polarization and the magnetoelectric effect is explained in the Maxwell–Wagner model.

Nanosized carbon black as synergist in PP/POE-MA/IFR system for simultaneously improving thermal, electrical and mechanical properties

Nanosized carbon black (CB) was introduced into polypropylene/maleic anhydride-grafted polyolefin elastomer/intumescent flame retardant (PP/POE-MA/IFR) system to investigate the effect of nanofiller as synergist on thermal, electrical and mechanical properties of polymer composites. With 5 mass% CB into PP/POE-MA/IFR system (POFC5), the Tmax (corresponded to the temperature at the maximum mass loss rate) under air was increased by 122.4 °C; its limited oxygen index was as high as 31.4%; its vertical burning rating (UL-94) reached V0, and the peak value of heat release rate was decreased to only 19% of neat PP in cone calorimeter testing. Moreover, PP composites exhibited good electrical conductivity with more than 1.6 mass% CB, which is a low loading level to reach the critical percolation concentration. In addition, a good balance on stiffness and toughness of PP composites was achieved; especially, Young’s moduli and impact strength of POFC5 were increased to 1.26 and 2.5 times in comparison with that of neat PP, respectively. These results indicated that CB was an effective synergist in multi-component PP composites to simultaneously improve thermal, electrical and mechanical properties.

A reactive hydrophobically modified ethoxylated urethane (HEUR) associative polymer bearing benzophenone terminal groups: Synthesis, thickening and photo-initiating reactivity

Hydrophobically modified ethoxylated urethanes (HEURs), as a representative class of associative polymers, are widely used as rheology modifiers in waterborne systems such as coatings, emulsions, inks etc. due to their unique associative network structure and finite relaxation behavior in solution. However, conventional HEURs are non-reactive and generally stay free in final cured films, which may induce some damages to the performance of the coatings. To solve the problem, a new concept of reactive HEUR has been proposed. That is, a reactive HEUR should bear reactive hydrophobic end-groups which can chemically crosslink with matrix resins during the curing process of waterborne coatings. In this work, with the help of the hydrogen abstraction photo-initiating reactivity of benzophenone (BP) group, a reactive HEUR (BPC11HEUR) end-functionalized by a photo-initiator BP moiety has been prepared. In aqueous solution, as demonstrated by steady shear measurement, an exponential increment of solution viscosity along with the increasing of polymer concentration (C) was found when C surpassed its critical percolation concentration (Cp ≈ 23.6 g/L). Besides, ultraviolet (UV) light induced photolysis in aqueous solution manifested a typical photochemical reaction behavior of BPC11HEUR polymer with a final photolysis degree (D) of approximate 78% after 300 s of irradiation. In situ 1H NMR and rheological measurements collectively revealed the efficient photo-initiating reactivity of BPC11HEUR for waterborne UV monomers or resins. Further, rheological measurements demonstrated that the emulsion zero/low shear viscosity can be greatly enhanced by ca. 50 folds for a commercially available waterborne UV polyurethane acrylate emulsion when the addition amount of BPC11HEUR varied from 0 to 1.0 wt%. These results shown that the reactive BPC11HEUR polymer can not only be used to efficiently modify the rheological properties of solutions or emulsions but also can chemically crosslink with waterborne UV acrylic monomers or resins by light irradiation. The work may be of interest for development of reactive HEURs used in waterborne UV coatings, inks, and adhesives, etc.

The mechanical and dielectric properties of polypropylene reinforced with BiSr2CaCu2O6.5 ceramic

In this work, novel polypropylene/BiSr2CaCu2O6.5 (PP/Bi-1212) thick film composites having ceramic content varying between 0.5% and 6% were prepared to enhance both the dielectric and mechanical properties of PP. The surface morphologies of the samples were determined by scanning electron microscope. The crystallinity change in PP due to Bi-1212 filler was also described by differential scanning calorimetry analysis. The highest crystallinity degree was observed for the PP/0.5% Bi-1212 composite. The tensile parameters such as Young’s modulus, tensile strength, percentage strain at break and energy at the break of the samples were also determined by analyzing the stress–strain curves. The highest tensile strength, stiffness, percentage strain at break and energy to break values were observed for the PP/(0.5%Bi-1212 composite. The complex electrical properties of the samples were also investigated by impedance spectroscopy measurements performed at room temperature between 10 Hz and 40 MHz frequency. The complex impedance, permittivity, ac conductivity and electrical modulus analyses revealed that 1% Bi-1212 additive changed the frequency dependence of the real and imaginary parts of the complex permittivity considerably and increased the dc conductivity of PP by approximately 0.2 million times. In this context, the percolation concentration for the conductivity of PP can be determined as approximately 1.0 wt% Bi-1212 filler. The electrical modulus analysis also indicated that the higher filler additive led the Maxwell–Wagner-type interfacial polarization in PP. Ultimately, it has been suggested that 3.0% of Bi-1212 added PP composite can be used as a dielectric material for decoupling capacitor applications.

An effective and novel approach for enhancement of the oxidative thermal stability of multiwalled carbon nanotubes loaded polymer blend

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) have wide range of applications. Commercial MWCNTs have impurities, disorder and entangled structure, which limit its applications. In this respect, novel, low-energy consumption and friendly technique was applied to enhance its structure. The technique is operated during isometric process inside autoclave and based on thermal treatment of MWCNTs in the presence of solvent and pressure. It was used to enhance the oxidative thermal stability of MWCNTs. Thermal gravimetric analysis results showed an increase in onset temperature, activation energy of decomposition, and the temperature required to loss 75, 50, and 33 wt% as the treating temperature increased. Raman spectroscopy tests showed a decrease in the degree of disorder from 1.29 for untreated samples to 0.45 for samples treated at 250°C. The electrical resistivity of MWCNTs was increased from 0.33 Ω.cm for untreated samples to 0.54 Ω cm for 250°C treated samples. Advantages of thermal treatment of MWCNTs using this technique appeared in the presence of a percolation behavior for the AC electrical conductivity when a polymer matrix was loaded with it with a threshold percolation concentration of 0.7 wt%. Furthermore, Cole–Cole Z semicircles as well as Argand plots of the electric modulus appeared for polymer matrix loaded with thermally treated MWCNTs beyond the threshold percolation concentration.

Direction Dependent Electrical Conductivity of Polymer/Carbon Filler Composites.

The method of measuring electrical volume resistivity in different directions was applied to characterize the filler orientation in melt mixed polymer composites containing different carbon fillers. For this purpose, various kinds of fillers with different geometries and aspect ratios were selected, namely carbon black (CB), graphite (G) and expanded graphite (EG), branched multiwalled carbon nanotubes (b-MWCNTs), non-branched multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). As it is well known that the shaping process also plays an important role in the achieved electrical properties, this study compares results for compression molded plates with random filler orientations in the plane as well as extruded films, which have, moreover, conductivity differences between extrusion direction and perpendicular to the plane. Additionally, the polymer matrix type (poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyamide 6 (PA6)) and filler concentration were varied. For the electrical measurements, a device able to measure the electrical conductivity in two directions was developed and constructed. The filler orientation was analyzed using the ratio σin/th calculated as in-plane conductivity σin-plane (σin) divided by through-plane conductivity σthrough-plane (σth). The ratio σin/th is expected to increase with more pronounced filler orientation in the processing direction. In the extruded films, alignment within the plane was assigned by dividing the in-plane conductivity in the extrusion direction (x) by the in-plane conductivity perpendicular to the extrusion direction (y). The conductivity ratios depend on filler type and concentration and are higher the higher the filler aspect ratio and the closer the filler content is to the percolation concentration.

Магнитоэлектрический эффект в парамагнитной области в Gd-=SUB=-0.15-=/SUB=-Mn-=SUB=-0.85-=/SUB=-Sе

In the region of the percolation concentration in the GdxMn1-xSe solid solution, the electric polarization without a field and in 12 kOe magnetic field in the temperature range of 80–380 K was measured . For the composition with x = 0.15, the polarization hysteresis and the dependence of the residual polarization on the magnetic field and temperature were found. The hysteresis is explained in the model of migration polarization and the magnetoelectric effect in the Maxwell-Wagner model.

Nanocomposites of LLDPE and Surface-Modified Cellulose Nanocrystals Prepared by Melt Processing.

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were surface modified by esterification in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at 25 °C using different catalysts and anhydrides bearing different alkyl side chain lengths. Unmodified and acetic anhydride (AcAnh)-modified CNCs were studied as potential nanofillers for linear low-density poly(ethylene) (LLDPE). Nanocomposites were prepared by melt processing. Determination of the size and size distribution of CNCs in the nanocomposites by SEM revealed an enhanced compatibility of the AcAnh-modified CNCs with the LLDPE matrix, since the average size of the aggregates of the modified CNCs (0.5–5 μm) was smaller compared to that of the unmodified CNCs (2–20 μm). Tensile test experiments revealed an increase in the nanocomposites’ stiffness and strain at break—by 20% and up to 90%, respectively—at the CNC concentration of 5 wt %, which is close to the critical percolation concentration. Since the CNC nanofiller simultaneously reduced LLDPE crystallinity, the reinforcement effect of CNCs was hampered. Therefore, the molding temperature was increased to 120 °C, and, in this way, the greatest increase of the Young’s modulus was achieved (by ~45%). Despite the enhanced compatibility of the AcAnh-modified CNCs with the LLDPE matrix, no additional effect on the mechanical properties of the nanocomposites was observed in comparison to the unmodified CNC.

Combined controlled-released nitrogen fertilizers and deep placement effects of N leaching, rice yield and N recovery in machine-transplanted rice

In the Taihu region of China, overuse of chemical nitrogen (N) fertilizer is often associated with low nitrogen recovery (NRE) and leads to serious groundwater pollution caused by N leaching losses. Controlled-released nitrogen fertilizers (CRNFs) and mechanized deep placement are promising alternatives to broadcasting urea to increase crop yield and NRE in machine-transplanted rice production. However, their interactions with regard to soil N status, N leaching and crop performance are unclear. A two-year (2015 and 2016) field experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block using two fertilization techniques (broadcast and deep placement by mechanical side-dressing fertilization) and three CRNFs (sulphur-coated urea (SCU), polymer-coated urea (PCU) and a bulk blended mixture (BBF)). Conventional high-yield fertilization (four split applications of urea at 216 kg N ha−1 (CK)) and 0–N treatments were established as controls. The results showed that the variation in NH4+-N concentration in the percolation and surface water varied across the different CRNFs, irrespective of the techniques used. NO3− -N concentration in the percolation water varied with water conditions in the field. Deep placement with CRNF correspondingly increased mineral N concentration in percolation at depths of 20 and 60 cm but reduced it in the surface water compared to that of the broadcast, although the benefits varied depending on the CRNF type and growth stage. Deep placement of SCU and PCU significantly increased N leaching and the mineral N in the 40–60 cm soil layer compared to that of the broadcast, due to the intensive N release during tillering and ineffective stage when the rice plant had a weak N uptake capability. Deep placement of SCU had the highest N leaching of 6.65 and 5.34 kg N ha−1 during 2015 and 2016. In contrast, BBF exhibited the lowest N leaching, regardless of fertilization placement, which apparently synchronized N release rates with rice N uptake patterns. In the present study, BBF obtained higher rice yields and N recoveries, without significantly enhancing mineral N leaching losses, when compared to CK. Our results suggest that the use of BBF is a promising alternative to a conventional high-yield fertilization practice, especially if combined with deep placement.

Effects of fibre dimension and charge density on nanocellulose gels

HypothesisCarboxylated cellulose nanofibres can produce gels at low concentrations. The effect of pulp source on the nanocellulose fibre dimension and gel rheology are studied. It is hypothesised that fibre length and surface charge influence aspects of the gel rheological properties. ExperimentsTEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl)- mediated oxidised cellulose nanofibres from never-dried hardwood and softwood pulp and containing different charge levels were produced and characterized. Steady-state and dynamic rheological studies were performed to ascertain the effects of pulp type on gel behavior and properties. FindingsNanocellulose fibres extracted from softwood (SW-TOCN) and hardwood (HW-TOCN) pulp exhibit similar widths but different length dimensions as shown via AFM analysis. Rheological measurements show that the dynamic moduli (G′ and G′′) of nanocellulose gels are independent of pulp source and are mostly influenced by fibre concentration. Differences in the steady-state behavior (i.e. viscosity) at constant surface charge can be attributed to differences in fibre length. Increasing the surface charge density influences the critical strain and the viscosity at the percolation concentration (0.1 wt%) due to higher electrostatic interactions.

Analysis of the magnetic properties in hard-magnetic nanofibers composite

The magnetic properties of the strontium hexaferrite nanoparticles were studied as they were embedded at different concentrations in poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanofibers. These nanoparticles were prepared using the Pechini method and a low frequency sonication process obtaining a 3.4 nm average diameter. The composite consisting of hard magnetic nanoparticles homogeneously dispersed in a polymeric matrix was fabricated using a homemade electrospinning with 25 kV DC power supply. The obtained nanofibers had an average diameter of 110 nm, and nanoparticles were arranged and distributed within the nanofibers under the influence of a strong electric field. The configuration of the magnetic nanoparticles in the PVA nanofibers was such that the interparticle exchange interaction became negligible, while the magnetostatic interaction turned out predominant. The results reveal a considerable improvement in the energy product (BHmax) and in the squareness ratio (Mr/Ms) for nanoparticle concentrations between 15 and 30% per gram of PVA. The nanoparticles arrangement occurred at densities below the percolation concentration enhanced the hard-magnetic properties of the nanofibers, which indicates that the organization of the particles along the fibers induces anisotropy from the magnetostatic interaction among the magnetic nanoparticles. Finally, we close the discussion analyzing the observed effect below the percolation threshold, where the induced anisotropy caused the reduction of the full-width at half-maximum of the switching field distribution curves.

About the relevance of waviness, agglomeration, and strain on the electrical behavior of polymer composites filled with carbon nanotubes evaluated by a Monte-Carlo simulation

In several technological applications, carbon nanotubes (CNT) are added to a polymer matrix in order to develop electrically conductive composite materials upon percolation of the CNT network. This percolation state depends on several parameters such as particle characteristics, degree of dispersion, and filler orientation. For instance, CNT aggregation is currently avoided because it is thought that it will have a negative effect on the electrical behavior despite some experimental evidence showing the contrary. In this study, the effect of CNT waviness, degree of agglomeration, and external strain, on the electrical percolation of polymer composites is studied by a three dimensional Monte-Carlo simulation. The simulation shows that the percolation threshold of CNT depends on the particle waviness, with rigid particles displaying the lowest values. Regarding the effect of CNT dispersion, our numerical results confirm that low levels of agglomeration reduce the percolation threshold of the composite. However, the threshold is shifted to larger values at high agglomeration states because of the appearance of isolated areas of high CNT concentrations. These results imply, therefore, an optimum of agglomeration that further depends on the waviness and concentration of CNT. Significantly, CNT agglomeration can further explain the broad percolation transition found in these systems. When an external strain is applied to the composites, the percolation concentration shifts to higher values because CNT alignment increases the inter-particle distances. The strain sensitivity of the composites is affected by the percolation state of CNT showing a maximum value at certain filler concentration. These results open up the discussion about the relevance in polymer composites of the dispersion state of CNT and filler flexibility towards electrically conductive composites.