Electrical resistance control model for polypyrrole-graphene nanocomposite: Energy storage applications

In this study, the initial examination of the morphology, thermal stability and the diffraction properties of polypyrrole (PPy) and graphene (Gr), were performed by using the: scanning electron microscope (SEM), thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), and x-ray diffraction analyzer (XRD). A model that is based on Gompertz equation, is proposed and modified to control the resistivity of the polymer. Aspect ratio, length, diameter, volume fraction and conductivity of polypyrrole, were considered as the input variables. The percolation threshold occurred at 1.64 vol% (35.62 S/cm) until 10 vol% (50.31 S/cm). The modified Gompertz model shows higher efficiency and reliability when it was compared to and validated with experimental measurements. Moreover, the model is versatile in data parameterization. Due to the level of accuracy of the modified Gompertz model developed in this study, it is therefore, proposed for the prediction of the electrical conductivity of any composite, with the following attendant advantages: simulation time is short, it is efficient and its accuracy can be easily experienced.