On the electrical conductivity of composites with a polymeric matrix and a non-uniform concentration of carbon nanotubes. (1st March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Matos, Miguel A.S.; Tagarielli, Vito L.; Pinho, Silvestre T.
• Is Part Of: Composites science and technology. Volume 188(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-03-01
• Subjects: Carbon nanotubes -- Electrical properties -- Multiscale modelling -- Dispersion; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Composite materials; Fibrous composites; Periodicals; 620.118
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compscitech.2020.108003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0266-3538

Abstract

Abstract: We present a multiscale modelling approach to explore the effects of a non-uniform concentration of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on the electrical conductivity of CNT-polymer composites. Realistic three-dimensional representative volume elements (RVEs) are generated from a two-dimensional CNT concentration map, obtained via microscopy techniques. The RVEs capture the measured probability density function of the CNT concentration and include a length-scale to represent the details of the spatial distribution of the concentration. The homogenized conductivity of the RVEs is computed via multiscale FE analyses for different values of such length-scale, and it is compared to measurements. The modelling strategy is then used to explore the effects of the microstructural features of these materials on their electrical conductivity.