In this work, the piezoresistive effect for a polymer nanocomposite with a highly segregated distribution of conductive filler was investigated. As a base polymer for the investigated nanocomposites, ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene, processed in a solid state (below melting point), was used. Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were used as a nanofiller forming a highly segregated structure in between polymer particles. A numerical multiscale approach based on the finite element method was proposed to predict changes in the conductive structure composed of MWCNTs in response to uniaxial deformation of the material. At the nanoscale, numerical simulations were conducted for uniformly distributed MWCNTs providing confinement of the filler to a two-dimensional layer with a high volume fraction of the filler in between two polymer particles. At the microscale, the piezoresistive response to uniaxial deformation for the three-dimensional highly segregated structure reconstructed from experimental data was investigated numerically. The embedded element method was implemented to conduct a realistic and computationally efficient simulation of MWCNT behavior during deformation of the nanocomposite. The results of numerical simulations were compared with the experimental data to prove the correctness of assumptions used in the modeling.

In this work, the results of investigation of the effect of polymer composite melts electrical conductance increase with time are presented. The conductance time dependencies were obtained for composites based on polypropylene filled with carbon nanoparticles of different types. The dependencies were analyzed to demonstrate the possibility of correlation of the conductance kinetics with different composite parameters, such as the filler geometry. Additional studies were carried out, such as electron microscopy study, conductance measurements after consecutive surface layer removal, and composite melt conductance measurements using a three-electrode scheme. The results showed that the increased electrical conductance of the composite materials can be attributed to the formation of an enriched with the filler particles surface layer, which happens during the stay of the composite in a melt state. Analysis of the experimental data, along with the results of numerical modeling, allowed to suggest a possible filler distribution transformation scheme. The physical premises behind the investigated effect are discussed.

In this work, the correlation between electrical conductivity and uniaxial deformation of a material with highly segregated distribution of conductive filler is studied. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes are used as a model filler. A numerical model that can be used to predict changes in conductive microstructure made of multi-walled carbon nanotubes in response to uniaxial deformation of material is proposed. The model takes into account the ability of nanotubes to assume various conformations and orientations during deformation. Numerical simulations are conducted for uniformly distributed multi-walled carbon nanotubes providing confinement of the filler in a two-dimensional film structure with high volume fraction of the filler. The embedded element method to conduct realistic and computationally efficient simulation of multi-walled carbon nanotube behavior during deformation of the composite material is implemented. Finally, the results of numerical simulations of changes in electrical conductivity of composite during deformation are compared with the experimental data to prove the correctness of assumptions used in the model.