Enhancement of electroconductivity and percolation threshold by the morphology of dielectric network in segregated polymer/nanocarbon composites

Conductivity and percolation threshold of segregated polymer composites were investigated for different spatial configurations of polymer networks and types of nanocarbon fillers. It was concluded, that the influence of morphology of fillers becomes insignificant compared with the influence of morphology of polymer network on the transport properties of segregated composites. Ordered spatial distribution of polymer grains causes lower percolation threshold than their random distribution due to the preventing of a formation of random filler puddles, excluded from the conductive network. If polymer network distributes disorderly, the best way to eliminate these puddles is careful control of the ratio between sizes of polymer and filler particles. Due to the high cost and difficulties in the dispersion of expensive high aspect ratio fillers, it is much more favorable to regulate transport properties of segregated composites by the morphology of polymer network instead of filler one. Our numerical results were carefully compared with available experimental data.