Electrical properties of low-doped carbon nanotubes/epoxy resin composite materials cured in an electrical subject: Fullerenes, Nanotubes and Carbon Nanostructures: Vol 0, No 0

Abstract

The behavior of electrical conductivity during the curing of composites based on epoxy resin doped with functionalized single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) with the application of constant and alternating electric fields was experimentally studied. A temporary shift of the maximum of electrical conductivity with an increase in the electric field amplitude was observed. It was shown that during the electric current flow through the sample, a competition between the processes of agglomeration and orientation of the CNT in an applied electric fields takes place. Such competition simultaneously contributes to the growth of electrical conductivity, the polymerization processes, and complicates the mobility of the CNT in the polymer matrix. It was found that the efficiency of the external direct and alternating electric fields increased with the decrease of carbon nanotubes concentration, and the alternating electric field was preferable for creating a percolation structure in the material.