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Very Low Conductivity Threshold in Bulk Isotropic Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotube–Epoxy Composites
Author(s) -
Bryning M. B.,
Islam M. F.,
Kikkawa J. M.,
Yodh A. G.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
advanced materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 10.707
H-Index - 527
eISSN - 1521-4095
pISSN - 0935-9648
DOI - 10.1002/adma.200401649
Subject(s) - materials science , carbon nanotube , percolation threshold , epoxy , composite material , conductivity , percolation (cognitive psychology) , nanotube , isotropy , electrical resistivity and conductivity , nanocomposite , volume fraction , chemistry , physics , engineering , quantum mechanics , neuroscience , electrical engineering , biology
Electrical conductivity of single‐walled carbon nanotube (SWNT)–epoxy composites (see Figure) is investigated as a function of SWNT concentration, mean length, and aggregation. The composites exhibit a percolation‐like conductivity with threshold volume fractions as low as 5.2 × 10 –5 . These low thresholds are attributed to continuous nanotube chains that form in the semi‐dilute concentration regime; higher thresholds result when aggregation is inhibited.