Open AccessPercolation threshold of multiwall carbon nanotube-PVDF composite for electromagnetic wave propagation
Author(s) -
Noorhana Yahya,
Surajudeen Sikiru,
Amir Rostami,
Hassan Soleimani,
Afza Shafie,
Bilal Alqasem,
Saima Qureishi,
Menaka Ganeson
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
nano express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2632-959X
DOI - 10.1088/2632-959x/ab9d69
Subject(s) - materials science , carbon nanotube , composite number , composite material , percolation threshold , antenna (radio) , percolation (cognitive psychology) , conductor , electrical conductor , polymer , conductivity , electrical resistivity and conductivity , electrical engineering , neuroscience , biology , chemistry , engineering
Advanced physical properties of conductive polymers fibre composites have attracted the attention of material scientists. Here, we produced a polymer fibre composite with aligned multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) of different weight fractions, ranging from 0.25 wt% to 1.5 wt%. At 1.5 wt% additive, a conductor-non-conductor transition occurs that is percolation threshold. This effect enhances the electrical conductivity of polymer composite from 0.050 S m −1 to 326.250 S m −1 . Electrically conductor polymer composite will be highly preferred to fabricate radio frequency antennas, due to their unique physical and mechanical properties. We evaluated the performance of the polymer composite antenna and observed the percolation effect in electromagnetic wave propagation of the composite antenna. Far-field radiation of 1.5 wt% MWCNT-polymer antenna was 0.728 V m −1 , whereas the maximum far-field result of the antennas made by lower MWCNT concentrations was 0.102 V m −1 . Adopting the mechanical properties of PVDF composite, the composite-based RF antenna can be used in robust environments, such as high pressure high temperature oil reservoirs.