Modeling sensor behavior of CNT/polymer nanocomposite

Author

Gong, Shuxi ; Zhu, Z.H.

Author_Institution

Dept. of Earth & Space Sci. & Eng., York Univ., Toronto, ON, Canada

fYear

2014

fDate

18-21 Aug. 2014

Firstpage

1029

Lastpage

1034

Abstract

This work investigates the electric conductivity and sensor behavior of CNT/polymer nanocomposite using a 3-dimensional CNT percolating network model, where the CNTs are allowed to deform and bend at crossed junctions of nanotubes. The comparison of the numerical results and experimental data showed a reasonably good agreement. Monte Carlo simulation reveal that besides tunneling resistance, deformation-induced resistance also plays a significant role in both electrical conductivity and sensor behavior of CNT/polymer composites. In our physics-based model, working mechanisms for high sensitivity at low CNT loading and asymmetric sensor behavior between tensile and compress strains were discussed.

Keywords

Monte Carlo methods; bending; carbon nanotubes; electrical conductivity; electrical resistivity; filled polymers; nanocomposites; nanosensors; percolation; tunnelling; 3-dimensional CNT percolating network model; C; CNT loading; CNT-polymer nanocomposite; Monte Carlo simulation; asymmetric sensor behavior; bending; compress strains; crossed junctions; deformation-induced resistance; electrical conductivity; physics-based model; tensile strains; tunneling resistance; Carbon nanotubes; Conductivity; Junctions; Polymers; Resistance; Strain; Tunneling;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Nanotechnology (IEEE-NANO), 2014 IEEE 14th International Conference on

Conference_Location

Toronto, ON

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/NANO.2014.6968167

Filename

6968167