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Evaluation and visualization of the percolating networks in multi-wall carbon nanotube/epoxy composites

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Abstract

In this study, epoxy-based nanocomposites containing multi-wall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were produced by a calendering approach. The electrical conductivities of these composites were investigated as a function of CNT content. The conductivity was found to obey a percolation-like power law with a percolation threshold below 0.05 vol.%. The electrical conductivity of the neat epoxy resin could be enhanced by nine orders of magnitude, with the addition of only 0.6 vol.% CNTs, suggesting the formation of a well-conducting network by the CNTs throughout the insulating polymer matrix. To characterize the dispersion and the morphology of CNTs in epoxy matrix, different microscopic techniques were applied to characterize the dispersion and the morphology of CNTs in epoxy matrix, such as atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In particular, the charge contrast imaging in SEM allows a visualization of the overall distribution of CNTs at a micro-scale, as well as the identification of CNT bundles at a nano-scale. On the basis of microscopic investigation, the electrical conduction mechanism of CNT/epoxy composites is discussed.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the IVW GmbH (CEO: Prof. Dr.-Ing. A. K. Schlarb) where most of the results were generated. The authors also acknowledge the help of the technicians, H. Gietzsch and S. Schmitt at the IVW, GmbH. L. Chang wishes to thank the Alexander von Humboldt-Foundation for the research fellowship at IVW during the year 2008, P. Toro appreciates the support of DAAD for his stay at IVW in 2006, and K. Friedrich is grateful to the Australian Research Council for his Professional Fellowship at the University of Sydney in 2006/2007.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Advanced Materials Technology, School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia

    Li Chang & Lin Ye

  2. Institute for Composite Materials, University of Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, 67663, Germany

    Klaus Friedrich

  3. King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

    Klaus Friedrich

  4. Facultad de Ciencias Físicasy Matemáticas, Casilla 2777, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile

    Patricio Toro

Authors
  1. Li Chang
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  2. Klaus Friedrich
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  3. Lin Ye
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  4. Patricio Toro
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Correspondence to Li Chang.

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Chang, L., Friedrich, K., Ye, L. et al. Evaluation and visualization of the percolating networks in multi-wall carbon nanotube/epoxy composites. J Mater Sci 44, 4003–4012 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-009-3551-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-009-3551-3

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