The resistivity of a new composite system: CNT-ceramic

We present the first electrical resistivity property of a new composite system: CNT-ceramic composites. Carbon nanotube-mullite composites (CNT/mullite = 1~15 vol. %) were prepared by hot-pressing the corresponding composite powders. The electrical resistivity of the composites was decreased remarkbly by adding a very small amount of CNT in relation to the unique specialities of the carbon nanotubes. With the introduction of 10 vol. % pretreated CNT, the electrical resistivity is decreased by 9 orders of magnitude. The surface functionalised CNT are crucial for this significant decrease in electrical resistivity, which provides strong adhesion between the nanotubes and the matrix to give a homogeneous carbon nanotube-ceramic composite.