Effective medium electrical response model of carbon nanotubes cement-based composites

Abstract

The electrical properties of carbon nanotubes (CNT) cement-based composites have been modeled in previous works by circuit models or homogenization theories. An alternative approach is the use of an effective medium theory with induced polarization: In this work, a new model based on the generalized effective medium theory of induced polarization (GEMTIP) with cylindrical inclusions is proposed. The presented results and discussion show its applicability to interpret the electrical impedance spectra of cylindrical cement samples doped with multi-walled CNTs (MWCNTs). The MWCNTs were dispersed in different media: one nonionic surfactant, two superplasticizers, a cationic type polycarboxylate ether, and an anionic type naphthalene sulfonate. Particle dispersion and their sizes were analyzed by Ultraviolet–Visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) measurements. Two electrode electrical impedance spectra were measured and analyzed by circuital models and the proposed GEMTIP model. The results demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed model in describing the Alternating Current (AC) response of cement/CNT composites irrespective of the dispersant agent used to elaborate the samples.