Foygel M., Morris R.D., Anez D., French S., Sobolev V.
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, US
Keywords: carbon nanotubes, Monte Carlo, percolation, simulations, suspensions
A Monte Carlo simulation code has been developed aimed at finding a critical fractional volume of the nanotubes suspended in a low thermo-or electro-conductive medium. Over more than two orders of magnitude, the critical fractional volume is found to be approximately inversely proportional to the aspect ratio. For the randomly oriented tubes with high aspect ratio, this dependence can be justified in the context of the excluded volume arguments and of the excluded surface /random contact model. Contrary to previous suggestions, the percolation theory can account for the surprisingly low percolation threshold recently observed in carbon nanotubes suspensions and composites.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 3, Technical Proceedings of the 2003 Nanotechnology Conference and Trade Show, Volume 3
Published: February 23, 2003
Pages: 149 - 151
Industry sector: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing
Topic: Carbon Nano Structures & Devices
ISBN: 0-9728422-2-5