Prediction of the Effective Dielectric Constant in SWNT Polyimide Nanocomposites Using the Bruggemann Model

The Bruggemann model is used in this work to predict the effective dielectric constant of two kinds of single-wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) polyimide nanocomposites. Electrical conductivity and dielectric constant exhibit a dramatic enhancement at low content of SWNT fillers with a percolation threshold at 0.06 vol %. Results of the Bruggemann model are compared with the experimental values of the dielectric constant in CP2/SWNT and beta CN/SWNT polyimide nanocomposites. A reasonable agreement for SWNT contents under the percolation threshold and a SWNT dielectric constant of 2000 was found between the Bruggeman model modified by Giordano and the experimental values. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 113: 2264-2270, 2009