Conduction mechanisms in conductive multi-walled carbon nanotube filled polydimethylsiloxane nanocomposites

• Electrical properties of PDMS/MWCNTs nanocomposites were studied.
• Results revealed the presence of a non-negligible hysteresis in I–V characteristics.
• Nanocomposites exhibit asymmetrical counterclockwise hysteresis in I–V curves.
• Electrical behavior during voltage ascending differs from the one during descending.
• Low field conductivity increases after each I–V loop measurement.

This work presents an investigation of the electrical behavior of below percolation threshold CNTs-filled PDMS nanocomposites. Fabricated films were assessed with the aid of current-voltage characteristic and charging/discharging current transient method. The obtained results revealed the presence of a non-negligible hysteresis and the electrical conduction is found to be dominated by internal field emission processes. Finally, the role of change of direction of the applied voltage on the conduction processes has been investigated for the first time.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide