Conductivity of carbon nanotube polymer composites

Journal Article · Mon Nov 20 00:00:00 EST 2006 · Applied Physics Letters

OSTI ID:902373

Wescott, J T; Kung, P; Maiti, A

Dissipative Particle Dynamics (DPD) simulations were used to investigate methods of controlling the assembly of percolating networks of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in thin films of block copolymer melts. For suitably chosen polymers the CNTs were found to spontaneously self-assemble into topologically interesting patterns. The mesoscale morphology was projected onto a finite-element grid and the electrical conductivity of the films computed. The conductivity displayed non-monotonic behavior as a function of relative polymer fractions in the melt. Results are compared and contrasted with CNT dispersion in small-molecule fluids and mixtures.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 902373
• Report Number(s): UCRL-JRNL-226350; APPLAB; TRN: US200717%%281
• Journal Information: Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 90; ISSN 0003-6951
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
CARBON
COPOLYMERS
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
MIXTURES
MORPHOLOGY
NANOTUBES
POLYMERS
THIN FILMS