A review and analysis of electrical percolation in carbon nanotube polymer composites

A review and analysis of electrical percolation in carbon nanotube polymer composites

2008 | Wolfgang Bauhofer, Josef Z. Kovacs
This review summarizes experimental and theoretical studies on electrical percolation in carbon nanotube (CNT) polymer composites. The paper discusses the factors influencing the percolation threshold, scaling law exponent, and maximum conductivity of CNT/polymer composites. It evaluates parameters such as CNT type, synthesis method, treatment, dimensionality, and polymer type and dispersion method. The study highlights the distinction between statistical and kinetic percolation thresholds, with the latter allowing for re-aggregation and lower percolation thresholds. The paper also discusses the effects of CNT alignment, dispersion methods, and polymer matrix on conductivity. It presents data on the maximum conductivities achieved in various composites, showing that non-entangled CNTs can achieve significantly higher conductivities than entangled ones. The paper also addresses the role of polymer tunneling barriers and the impact of electric fields on CNT network formation. Theoretical approaches, including excluded volume concepts and scaling laws, are discussed, along with the limitations of statistical percolation theories. The study concludes that the percolation threshold and conductivity depend on factors such as polymer matrix, filler dispersion, and CNT properties, and that further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms of electrical percolation in CNT/polymer composites.This review summarizes experimental and theoretical studies on electrical percolation in carbon nanotube (CNT) polymer composites. The paper discusses the factors influencing the percolation threshold, scaling law exponent, and maximum conductivity of CNT/polymer composites. It evaluates parameters such as CNT type, synthesis method, treatment, dimensionality, and polymer type and dispersion method. The study highlights the distinction between statistical and kinetic percolation thresholds, with the latter allowing for re-aggregation and lower percolation thresholds. The paper also discusses the effects of CNT alignment, dispersion methods, and polymer matrix on conductivity. It presents data on the maximum conductivities achieved in various composites, showing that non-entangled CNTs can achieve significantly higher conductivities than entangled ones. The paper also addresses the role of polymer tunneling barriers and the impact of electric fields on CNT network formation. Theoretical approaches, including excluded volume concepts and scaling laws, are discussed, along with the limitations of statistical percolation theories. The study concludes that the percolation threshold and conductivity depend on factors such as polymer matrix, filler dispersion, and CNT properties, and that further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms of electrical percolation in CNT/polymer composites.
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