Effect of CNT additives on the electrical properties of derived nanocomposites (experimentally and numerical investigation)

Abstract : In this work, two simulations models have been developed to study the electrical percolation and the electrical conductivity of epoxy-based nanocomposite containing Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes. The models are based on resistor-model and finite element analysis. The former was evaluated using MATLAB code and the finite element analysis using DIGIMAT software. The maximum tunnelling distance and its influence on the percolation probability and final electrical conductivity were studied. Electrical measurements on the samples were conducted for numerical validation. The experimental data showed a percolation achievement around 2 wt%, which was confirmed in the numerical simulations. This study provides evidence of the effectiveness of the resistor model and finite element method approach to predict the electrical conductivity of nanocomposites.