Abstract
(April 7, 2015) This
paper explores the use of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT)/poly(butyl
methacrylate) composites as a material for use in unconventional computing. The
mechanical and electrical properties of the materials are investigated. The
resulting data reveal a correlation between the SWCNT
concentration/viscosity/conductivity and the computational capability of the
composite. The viscosity increases significantly with the addition of SWCNTs to
the polymer, mechanically reinforcing the host material and changing the
electrical properties of the composite. The electrical conduction is found to
depend strongly on the nanotube concentration; Poole-Frenkel conduction appears
to dominate the conductivity at very low concentrations (0.11% by weight).