Percolation Threshold in Polymer Nanocomposites

Two approaches to the calculation of the percolation threshold in polymer nanocomposites have been analyzed, namely, the excluded-volume theory and the model proposed by Li and Kim. It has been shown that the former approach yields a rough estimate of the threshold, while the latter one leads to simple relations that can be used, however, with essential corrections. It is necessary, first, to take into account the result of solving the problem of lattice sites, and, second, to average more exactly the orientation of anisodiametric nanoparticles. The role of interfacial layers has been analyzed.