ABSTRACT This study quantifies the dual percolation behavior of carbon‐nanotube (CNT)–reinforced polypropylene (PP) by pairing dynamic oscillatory rheometry, impedance spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) across matched loadings. A rheological (stress‐bearing) network emerges at ~0.30 wt% CNT, evidenced by a low‐frequency G′ plateau, while electrical percolation occurs at ~0.40 wt%, producing a rise of ≈6 orders of magnitude in DC conductivity. All datasets are reported as discrete points with mean ± SD ( n ≥ 3). Fitting σ ( ϕ ) to a percolation law, σ = σ 0 ( ϕ − ϕ c ) t for ϕ ≥ ϕ c , yields the critical loading ( ϕ c ) and exponent ( t ), thereby decoupling stress‐bearing connectivity from charge transport. SEM corroborates network densification across the percolation window. The resulting design map—insulating → rheologically percolated (dielectric) → electrically percolated (conductive)—enables independent tuning of mechanical reinforcement and electrical functionality for applications ranging from structural dielectrics to sensing and EMI shielding. The framework provides a practical route to structure–property control in CNT‐based macromolecular systems under scalable processing.
Maziyar Sabet (Mon,) studied this question.