Computer and experimental study of field-induced conductivity modulation in liquid crystal–carbon nanotubes system

Abstract

In this study, the possibility of percolation system conductivity control by the applied electric field has been researched based on computer simulation and experimental measurements of electrical characteristics of liquid crystal–carbon nanotubes nanocomposite. It was found that electrical resistance of obtained nanocomposites decreases with increasing nanotube concentration. It is shown that the applied voltage reduces the resistance of the nanocomposite, which is likely associated with the change in the spatial orientation of nanotubes. Nanocomposites with 2–4% nanotube content show the maximum field-controlled relative change in resistance. The effect of concentration and orientation of the nanotubes on the percolation processes in the carbon nanotube system has been studied by computer simulations. The change in the percolation probability was revealed when limiting nanotube orientation angles that are controlled by the electrical field.

Keywords:

• Carbon nanotubes
• electrical conductivity
• liquid crystal
• nanocomposite
• percolation

Disclosure statement

The authors report there are no competing interests to declare.