Separation of junction and bundle resistance in single wall carbon nanotube percolation networks by impedance spectroscopy

Abstract

Single wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) networks of different loadings were measured by impedance spectroscopy. The resistances of the junctions and bundles have been separated by modeling ac impedance spectroscopy data to an equivalent circuit of two parallel resistance-capacitance elements in series. The junction resistance was found to be 3–3.5 times higher than the bundle resistance. The dc and ac properties of the SWNT networks were found to obey a percolation scaling law, with parameters determined by dispersant type and SWNT purity. The values of the critical exponent in all cases were higher than the expected value of 1.3, which is related to widely distributed bundle and junction conductivities.