Nanocarbon broadband analysis, temperature dependent dielectric properties and percolation thresholds

The results of a broadband dielectric investigation of multi-walled CNT (MWCNT)/epoxy resin composites in wide temperature range from room temperature to 450 K are reported. Far below the percolation threshold (0.25 wt% MWCNT) the dielectric properties of the composite are mostly determined by alpha relaxation in pure polymer matrix. Close to the percolation threshold the composite shows the negative temperature coefficient (NTC) effect in the temperature region, where the pure polymer matrix becomes conductive. The activation energy increases with the MWCNT concentration far below the percolation threshold and decreases close to it (1.5 wt% MWCNT). The dielectric analysis of the MWCNT/epox…