title: Optimal percolation of disordered segregated composites.
abstract: We evaluate the percolation threshold values for a realistic model of continuum segregated systems, where random spherical inclusions forbid the percolating objects, modeled by hardcore spherical particles surrounded by penetrable shells, to occupy large regions inside the composite. We find that the percolation threshold is generally a nonmonotonous function of segregation, and that an optimal (i.e., minimum) critical concentration exists well before maximum segregation is reached. We interpret this feature as originating from a competition between reduced available volume effects and enhanced concentrations needed to ensure percolation in the highly segregated regime. The relevance with existing segregated materials is discussed.
authors.affiliation: LPM, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Station 17, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland. niklaus.johner@epfl.ch
authors.forename: Niklaus
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Johner
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Grimaldi
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Maeder
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ryser