Experimental and Computational Aspects of Electronic Properties of Carbon-Based Polymer Nanocomposites

Abstract The electronic properties of polymer nanocomposites with either carbon nanotubes (CNTs) or graphene inclusions as fillers are presented and discussed. The electron transport mechanisms in nanocomposites are described in this chapter. The percolation behavior of these conducting fillers in a polymer matrix is systematically discussed through electrical conductivity measurements as a function of filler (CNTs/graphene) and as a function of applied frequency. The computational efforts carried out to investigate the formation of conducting networks of CNT/graphene are also highlighted. The computational efforts can be classified into two major categories: finite element method (FEM) and non-FEM. In general, FEM-based methods are more comprehensive in facilitating a profound understanding of electron transport through the nanocomposites. The extent of correlation between the experimental and the computational values of conductivity and percolation threshold is also dealt within this chapter.