title: Excluded Volume Approach for Ultrathin Carbon Nanotube Network Stabilization: A Mesoscopic Distinct Element Method Study.
abstract: Ultrathin carbon nanotube films have gathered attention for flexible electronics applications. Unfortunately, their network structure changes significantly even under small applied strains. We perform mesoscopic distinct element method simulations and develop an atomic-scale picture of the network stress relaxation. On this basis, we put forward the concept of mesoscale design by the addition of excluded-volume interactions. We integrate silicon nanoparticles into our model and show that the nanoparticle-filled networks present superior stability and mechanical response relative to those of pure films. The approach opens new possibilities for tuning the network microstructure in a manner that is compatible with flexible electronics applications.
authors.forename: Yuezhou
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Grigorii
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Drozdov
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, North Dakota State University , Fargo, North Dakota 58108, United States.
authors.forename: Erik K
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6158-8977
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Hobbie
authors.forename: Traian
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6320-1625
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dumitrica
keywords: carbon nanotubes; excluded volume; flexible electronics; mechanical load; nanoparticles; ultrathin films