Correlations between percolation threshold, dispersion state, and aspect ratio of carbon nanotubes

Jing Li, Peng Cheng Ma, Wing Sze Chow, Chi Kai To, Ben Zhong Tang, Jang Kyo Kim

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1030 Scopus citations

Abstract

Critical factors that determine the percolation threshold of carbon nanotube (CNT)-reinforced polymer nanocomposites are studied. An improved analytical model is developed based on an interparticle distance concept. Two dispersion parameters are introduced in the model to correctly reflect the different dispersion states of CNTs in the matrix-entangled bundles and well-dispersed individual CNTs. CNT-epoxy nanocomposites with different dispersion states are fabricated from the same constituent materials by employing different processing conditions. The corresponding percolation thresholds of the nanocomposites vary over a wide range, from 0.1 to greater than 1.0 wt %, and these variations are explained in terms of dispersion parameters and aspect ratios of CNTs. Important factors that control the percolation threshold of nanocomposites are identified based on the comparison between modeling data and experimental results.

Original languageBritish English
Pages (from-to)3207-3215
Number of pages9
JournalAdvanced Functional Materials
Volume17
Issue number16
DOIs
StatePublished - 5 Nov 2007

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Correlations between percolation threshold, dispersion state, and aspect ratio of carbon nanotubes'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this