Prediction of piezoresistive sensitivity and percolation probability of synergetic CNT-GNP conductive network composite

A novel one-step Monte-Carlo approach considering the orientation effect of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in synergism with uniformly distributed ellipsoidal graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) teamed up with percolation model is developed to study the percolation probability and gauge factor of hybrid CNT-GNP piezoresistive conductive network composite. A representative volume element is generated based on the randomly oriented rod-like CNTs and uniformly distributed disk-shape GNPs to examine the piezoresistive sensitivity developed by strain under tension. The model predictions are compared with experimental studies related to electrical conductivity and piezoresistivity of hybrid CNT-GNP nanocomposites and a good agreement is achieved. A parametric investigation of the influences of CNT volume fraction, degree of orientation, GNP diameter and volume fraction is performed on the piezoresistive sensitivity of nanocomposite. High piezoresistive sensitivity is achieved for scattered short aligned CNTs distributed in the matrix with sparse low aspect ratio GNPs. The results also demonstrated that high percolation probability is achievable for nanocomposite with longer CNTs oriented in random directions and perfect dispersion of GNPs with higher surface area. [Display omitted] •Percolation probability and gauge factor change of CNT-GNP piezoresistive conductive network composite are studied.•A novel one-step Monte-Carlo approach is developed.•Model predictions are in good agreement with experiments.•High piezoresistive sensitivity is achieved for aligned CNTs distributed in the matrix with sparse low GNP aspect ratio.