Incorporation of electron tunnelling phenomenon into 3D Monte Carlo simulation of electrical percolation in graphite nanoplatelet composites

The percolation threshold problem in insulating polymers filled with exfoliated conductive graphite nanoplatelets (GNPs) is re-examined in this 3D Monte Carlo simulation study. GNPs are modelled as solid discs wrapped by electrically conductive layers of certain thickness which represent half of the electron tunnelling distance. Two scenarios of 'impenetrable' and 'penetrable' GNPs are implemented in the simulations. The percolation thresholds for both scenarios are plotted versus the electron tunnelling distance for various GNP thicknesses. The assumption of successful dispersion and exfoliation, and the incorporation of the electron tunnelling phenomenon in the impenetrable simulations suggest that the simulated percolation thresholds are lower bounds for any experimental study. Finally, the simulation results are discussed and compared with other experimental studies.