Universality of Zener tunneling in carbon/polymer composites

Zener tunneling is identified in carbon nanofiber (CNF)/high density polyethylene (HDPE) composites exposed to external electric field. It is caused by the intense internal field strength due to the field enhancement effect. By combining Zener tunneling effect with percolation theory, a novel current density-electric field relationship is developed, which is applicable to carbon/polymer composites both below and above the percolation threshold. This Study shows that Zener tunneling may be universal as an internal electrical transport process for the carbon/polymer systems. © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.