Carbon nanotube/epoxy resin composite: Correlation between state of nanotube dispersion and Zener tunneling parameters

Carbon nanotube/epoxy resin composites with different levels of nanotube dispersion in the polymer matrix were prepared. The effects of nanotube dispersion on tunneling conductive behavior of such composites were investigated. The composites with homogeneous nanotube dispersion were found to exhibit larger static electrical conductivity and smaller percolation threshold than those with poorer nanotube dispersion. In addition, uniformly dispersed nanotubes induced strong Zener effect under the application of an electric field. The static conductivity and Zener tunneling parameters were shown to be good indicators for the state of nanotube dispersion.