The role of disorder on the AC and DC electrical conductivity of vapour grown carbon nanofibre/epoxy composites

• Main Author: Cardoso, P.
• Publication Date: 2012
• Other Authors: Silva, J., Klosterman, D., Covas, J.A., van Hattum, F.W.J., Simões, Ricardo
• Format: Article
• Language: eng
• Source: Repositórios Científicos de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (RCAAP)
• Download full: http://hdl.handle.net/11110/308
• topic: Nano composites; Polymer–matrix composites (PMCs); Electrical properties

Four dispersion methods were used for the preparation of vapour grown carbon nanofibre (VGCNF)/epoxy composites. It is shown that each method induces certain levels of VGCNF dispersion and distribution within the matrix, and that these have a strong influence on the composite electrical properties. A homogenous VGCNF dispersion does not necessarily imply higher electrical conductivity. In fact, it is concluded that the presence of well distributed clusters, rather than a fine dispersion, is more important for achieving larger conductivities for a given VGCNF concentration. It is also found that the conductivity can be described by a weak disorder regime.