Percolation mechanism of the graphene nanoplatelets/elastomeric flexible sensing nanocomposite under an applied compressive strain

Abstract

The pressure/resistance sensitivity of the GNP elastomeric nanocomposite is investigated using a finite element percolation model. The simulation model creates an elastomeric RVE, including solid GNP disks, and updates the position and direction of GNPs after the applied pressure. The percolation model predicts the tunneling paths between GNP intersections between the two electrodes. The percolation network between electrodes is promoted through the prevalent contact mechanism between GNPs. The developed numerical model simulates the electrical conductivity and pressure/resistance response in a good correlation with experimental data. Results explain the dominant factors of alignment direction and volume fraction on the resistance response. The resistivity of the nanocomposite reduces significantly with critical distance with a reduced variation rate for lower volume fractions. Results indicate linear pressure/resistance sensitivity under a compressed strain up to 0.16. The results reveal a controllable sensitivity through the appropriate choice of GNP alignment direction, aspect ratio, and volume fraction. © 2023 Elsevier B.V.