Transport properties in heterogeneous compacted granular media made of carbon nanotubes and potassium bromide

Abstract

Thermal properties of pellets composed of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), single-walled or multiple-walled, and potassium bromide have been investigated via photothermal radiometry. Pellets containing 2 wt % CNT show a significant enhancement in thermal conductivity (k) by at least four times. However, when the concentration of a CNT is raised to 3 wt % or higher, a sudden drop in k is observed whereas the electrical conductivity keeps increasing and follows the percolation law. The thermal conductivity data have been modeled and interpreted in terms of a morphological transition between a compacted and an unconsolidated granular media.