An innovative model for electrical conductivity of MXene polymer nanocomposites by interphase and tunneling characteristics

The endeavor to forecast the electrical conductivity in composites constituted of MXene nanosheets and polymers presents a significant challenge due to the absence of a simplistic model. The present investigation introduces a comprehensive model that anticipates the electrical conductivity of specimens filled with MXene. The proposed methodology incorporates a multitude of variables that determine the total conductivity of the specimens. These variables encompass the size parameters of MXene, the percolation onset, the volumetric fraction of MXene, the tunneling distance, the interphase thickness, and the network fraction. The reliability of this methodology is rigorously tested using experimental data derived from several specimens. Moreover, a comprehensive examination of the relationship between the estimated conductivity and the variables is carried out to verify the trustworthiness of the suggested approach. The outcomes derived from the suggested model demonstrate a significant alignment with the results from the experiments. Factors such as slender and larger nanosheets, thicker interphase, smaller tunneling distance, and higher portion of percolated nanosheets in the network can significantly enhance the conductivity of nanocomposite. The maximum electrical conductivity of 14 S/m is attained with the lowest tunneling distance of 1.4 nm and the lowest percolation onset of 0.01. Additionally, with the maximum interphase thickness of 41 nm and the highest MXene conductivity of 3 ×10⁶ S/m, the nanocomposite achieves an optimal conductivity of 2 S/m.