A computational study of tunneling-percolation electrical transport in graphene-based nanocomposites

Using a tunneling-percolation model and Monte Carlo simulations, we study the resistivity of graphene-based nanocomposites as a function of both graphene sheet and device parameters. We observe an inverse power law dependence of resistivity on device dimensions and volume fraction near the percolation threshold, and find that high aspect ratio graphene sheets result in a much lower resistivity, particularly at low sheet densities. Furthermore, we find that graphene sheet area affects nanocomposite resistivity more strongly than sheet density does. These results impart important fundamental insights for future experimental investigations and applications of graphene-based conductive nanocomposites.

[1]  S. Banerjee,et al.  Large-Area Synthesis of High-Quality and Uniform Graphene Films on Copper Foils , 2009, Science.

[2]  A. Rinzler,et al.  Resistivity scaling in single-walled carbon nanotube films patterned to submicron dimensions , 2006 .

[3]  A. Behnam,et al.  Resistivity in percolation networks of one-dimensional elements with a length distribution. , 2009, Physical review. E, Statistical, nonlinear, and soft matter physics.

[4]  A. Behnam,et al.  Computational study of geometry-dependent resistivity scaling in single-walled carbon nanotube films , 2007 .

[5]  S. Redner,et al.  Introduction To Percolation Theory , 2018 .

[6]  K. Müllen,et al.  Transparent, conductive graphene electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells. , 2008, Nano letters.

[7]  Chunyu Li,et al.  Dominant role of tunneling resistance in the electrical conductivity of carbon nanotube-based composites , 2007 .

[8]  S. Stankovich,et al.  Graphene-based composite materials , 2006, Nature.

[9]  G. Eda,et al.  Graphene-based composite thin films for electronics. , 2009, Nano letters.

[10]  Kwang S. Kim,et al.  Large-scale pattern growth of graphene films for stretchable transparent electrodes , 2009, Nature.

[11]  J. Charlier,et al.  Graphite Interplanar Bonding: Electronic Delocalization and van der Waals Interaction , 1994 .

[12]  S. Stankovich,et al.  Graphene-silica composite thin films as transparent conductors. , 2007, Nano letters.

[13]  J. Simmons.  Generalized Formula for the Electric Tunnel Effect between Similar Electrodes Separated by a Thin Insulating Film , 1963 .

[14]  C. Berger,et al.  Electronic Confinement and Coherence in Patterned Epitaxial Graphene , 2006, Science.

[15]  M. Isichenko.  Percolation, statistical topography, and transport in random media , 1992 .