Expression of characteristic tunneling distance to control the electrical conductivity of carbon nanotubes-reinforced nanocomposites

Abstract

Many studies have stated that the characteristic tunneling distance (z) directly governs the electrical conductivity of carbon nanotubes (CNT)-reinforced polymer nanocomposites (PCNT). However, “z” is an unclear parameter and its dependency on other factors is indefinite. The current work joins two advanced models for electrical conductivity to define the “z” by the specifications of CNT, interphase area and tunneling region. The developed equation estimates the “z” for some examples and determines the variation of “z” at various parameters’ ranks. The accurate forecasts of established models for the samples approve the derived equation for “z”. “z” decreases as filler concentration grows, but high filler concentrations cause the poor variation of “z”. Moreover, reedy and large CNT, thin interphase, poor filler conductivity, large tunnels, low polymer tunneling resistivity and wide tunnels produce the high “z”. Accordingly, “z” depends on the dimensions and concentration of CNT, the interphase depth, tunneling size, CNT conductivity and polymer tunneling resistivity.

Keywords

• Characteristic tunneling distance
• Polymer carbon nanotubes nanocomposites
• Conductivity
• Interphase