Influences of graphene morphology and contact distance between nanosheets on the effective conductivity of polymer nanocomposites

Herein, the contact distance and effective tunneling conductivity in graphene polymer nanocomposites are expressed assuming the properties of graphene stack and the resistances of all components by graphene dimensions, interphase depth, contact resistance and filler morphology (stacked and well-dispersed nanosheets). In the case of incomplete filler dispersion in the matrix, the volume share, aspect ratio and conduction of stacks are suggested. Also, the contact distance is presented based on a power law description by percolation onset and effective filler amount supposing the properties of stacks. The effects of all parameters on the contact distance and effective conductivity are plotted at various ranges of factors. Undoubtedly, the reasonable impacts of all factors on the contact distance and effective conductivity justify the suggested equations. A higher filler amount, more filler dispersion, lower number of nanosheets in stacks, higher aspect ratio of filler (thinner and larger nanosheets), deeper interphase and larger distance between nano sheets in stacks produce a shorter contact distance, bigger network and less total resistance causing more effective conductivity. (c) 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Automated summary

This paper investigates the contact distance and effective tunneling conductivity in graphene polymer nanocomposites and proposes relevant equations. The impacts of factors such as graphene dimensions, interphase depth, contact resistance, and filler morphology on the contact distance and conductivity are discussed.