Topological characterization for the geometric origin of transition in electrical conductivity for hybrid nanocomposites

In this study, the analytical relationship between the electrical conductivity of hybrid nanocomposites consisting of conducting nanowires and insulating particulate fillers was investigated. We measured the performance as a function of the major factors defined by the combination of physical parameters of the constituent fillers. The major factors were identified using data mining techniques. The topological structure of the nanocomposites was described using a combination of Voronoi tessellation and the Swiss cheese model. Based on the geometrical framework, an analytical model of the electrical conductivity of the hybrid nanocomposites was built based on the Kozeny–Carman approach. The model delineates a one-dimensional characterization of the transition in electrical conductivity associated with the size ratio of the fillers and enables to visualize the quantitative relationship between the topological structure and electrical conductivity of the hybrid nanocomposites. Formalism facilitates the design of the physical properties of hybrid nanocomposites before their synthesis.