Tailoring the electrical properties of MWCNT/epoxy composites controlling processing conditions

The electrical percolation behavior of multiwall carbon nanotubes epoxy composites produced using sonication as dispersion process is studied. The electrical properties of the cured composites are related to the different internal carbon nanotube networks induced by the processing parameters. A fine tuning of the electrical conductivity is obtained by dispersing the nanotubes in the matrix and subsequently inducing agglomeration by curing at different temperatures. Optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy of the formed microstructures reveal a strict correlation between structural and electrical properties that suggests that agglomeration provides a higher electrical conductivity. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.