Predictive Optimization of Electrical Conductivity of Polycarbonate Composites at Different Concentrations of Carbon Nanotubes: A Valorization of Conductive Nanocomposite Theoretical Models

Polycarbonate-carbon nanotube (PC-CNT) conductive composites containing CNT concentration covering 0.25-4.5 wt.% were prepared by melt blending extrusion. The alternating current (AC) conductivity of the composites has been investigated. The percolation threshold of the PC-CNT composites was theoretically determined using the classical theory of percolation followed by numerical analysis, quantifying the conductivity of PC-CNT at the critical volume CNT concentration. Different theoretical models like Bueche, McCullough and Mamunya have been applied to predict the AC conductivity of the composites using a hyperparameter optimization method. Through multiple series of the hyperparameter optimization process, it was found that McCullough and Mamunya theoretical models for electrical conductivity fit remarkably with our experimental results; the degree of chain branching and the aspect ratio are estimated to be 0.91 and 167 according to these models. The development of a new model based on a modified Sohi model is in good agreement with our data, with a coefficient of determination R-2=0.922 for an optimized design model. The conductivity is correlated to the electromagnetic absorption (EM) index showing a fine fit with Steffen-Boltzmann (SB) model, indicating the ultimate CNTs volume concentration for microwave absorption at the studied frequency range.

Automated summary

"The study investigated the AC conductivity of Polycarbonate-carbon nanotube (PC-CNT) conductive composites prepared by melt blending extrusion with CNT concentration ranging from 0.25-4.5 wt.%. The percolation threshold was determined theoretically and various models were applied to predict the conductivity. The study found good agreement between the McCullough and Mamunya theoretical models for electrical conductivity, with estimated values for chain branching and aspect ratio."