Discontinuity of physical properties of carbon nanotube/polymer composites at the percolation threshold

Delphine Carponcin (1) , Eric Dantras (1) , Jany Dandurand (1) , Gwenaëlle Aridon (2) , Franck Levallois (2) , Laurent Cadiergues (3) , Colette Lacabanne (2)

1 CIRIMAT - Centre interuniversitaire de recherche et d'ingenierie des matériaux
2 Astrium [Toulouse]
3 CNES - Centre National d'Études Spatiales [Toulouse]

Evolution of DC conductivity with double-walled carbon nanotube concentration in a polyamide 11 matrix displays the electrical percolation phenomenon. The percolation threshold is observed for this composite at 0.85 wt.%. Thermal, mechanical and dielectric manifestations of the glass transition have been investigated as a function of carbon nanotube content. Thermal and mechanical analyses have shown a depression of the glass transition temperature or its mechanical manifestation at the percolation threshold. Regarding the dielectric modulus, three distinct behaviors (below, at, and above percolation threshold) have been observed. A discussion about the interactions between the polymer matrix and the conductive fillers will be proposed to further the understanding of the discontinuity of physical properties at the percolation threshold.

Mots clés: Carbon nanotubes; Polymer-matrix composites; Electrical percolation threshold; Glass temperature depression

Domaines: Matériaux; Matériaux

Delphine Carponcin, Eric Dantras, Jany Dandurand, Gwenaëlle Aridon, Franck Levallois, et al.. Discontinuity of physical properties of carbon nanotube/polymer composites at the percolation threshold. Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids, 2014, vol. 392-393, pp. 19-25. ⟨10.1016/j.jnoncrysol.2014.03.022⟩. ⟨hal-00992184⟩