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Microstructural Modeling of Electrical Behavior in CNT Polymer Composites

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 March 2012

S. Xu ,
O. Rezvanian ,
K. Peters  and
M.A. Zikry
S. Xu
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695
O. Rezvanian
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695
K. Peters
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695
M.A. Zikry
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695
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Abstract

A three-dimensional (3D) carbon nanotube (CNT) resistor network computational model was developed to investigate the electrical conductivity, and current and thermal flow in polymer composites with randomly dispersed CNTs. A search algorithm was developed to determine conductive paths for 3D CNT arrangements and to account for electron tunneling effects. By coupling Maxwell specialized finite-element (FE) formulation with Fermi-based tunneling resistance, specialized FE techniques were then used to obtain current density evolution for different CNT/polymer dispersions and tunneling distances. These computational approaches address the limitations of percolation theories that are used to estimate electrical conductivity of CNTs. The predictions indicate that tunneling distance significantly affects 3D electrical conductivity and thermal distributions.

Keywords

nanostructuresimulationelectrical properties
Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 1420: Symposium OO – Multiscale Mechanics of Hierarchical Materials , 2012 , mrsf11-1420-oo08-04
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2012

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References

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