Publication

Abstract : Abstract A computational method to determine the shielding effectiveness against electromagnetic interference of carbon nanotube (CNTs)-based nanocomposites through modelling of its electrical properties is presented. Specifically, simulations based on Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) were implemented to evaluate the electrical conductivity (σ) of \{CNTs\} (used as a filler in a polymer matrix) that formed electrical network inside a representative cuboid volume of the sample. A pseudo three-dimensional (3D) percolation model was developed to study the effects of random connectivity of \{CNTs\} to one another on the conductivity of nanocomposites. In our approach, both contact and intrinsic resistances were taken into account. The tunneling resistance between \{CNTs\} was also taken into account while dealing with single-walled \{CNTs\} (SWCNTs). A resistor network recognition method that optimizes connective paths was built using \{ACO\} method and conductivity was subsequently computed as a function of \{CNTs\} concentration. Then, the shielding effectiveness was computed using the conductivity data. It is remarkable that the calculated \{SE\} values as a function of frequency of \{EM\} waves at a constant weight percent of \{CNTs\} were in agreement with the experimental data for CNT-based nanocomposites reported in literature.