Considering the filler network as a third phase in polymer/CNT nanocomposites to predict the tensile modulus using Hashin-Hansen model

In this paper, a conventional Hashin-Hansen model is developed to analyze the tensile modulus of polymer/CNT nanocomposites above the percolation threshold. This model for composites containing dispersed particles utilizes the aspect ratio of the nanofiller (alpha), the number of nanotubes per unit area (N), the percolation threshold (phi(P)) and the modulus of the filler network (E-N), assuming that the filler network constitutes a third phase in the nanocomposites. The experimental results and the predictions agree well, verifying the proposed relations between the modulus and the other parameters in the Hashin-Hansen model. Moreover, large values of alpha, N and E-N result in an improved modulus of the polymer/CNT nanocomposites, while a low percolation threshold results in a high modulus.