Flexible Conductive Nanocomposites for Electrochemical Devices Based on Chlorinated Natural Rubber/Nickel Oxide Nanoparticles

Abstract

A study on structural, thermal, temperature-dependent electrical properties such as AC conductivity and dielectric properties of flexible conductive chlorinated natural rubber (Cl-NR) were carried out with various contents of nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles. The role of fillers on DC conductivity of the composites was correlated with different theoretical models. The FT-IR spectra showed the characteristic absorption band for nano-NiO in the rubber indicating the effective incorporation of nanoparticles in Cl-NR. Optical bandgap energy was observed minimum for 5 phr loaded composite. TGA result showed that the thermal stability increased with NiO content in the polymer matrix. The dielectric properties and AC electrical conductivity increased significantly with the temperatures and also with the addition of nanoparticles up to 5 phr loading. The activation energy of the electrical conductivity decreases with an increase in temperature for all the systems. The higher value of dielectric permittivity explained the electrode polarisations at low-frequency region. The skewed semi-circular arc in the Cole-Cole plot observed for all the samples explained the semiconducting behaviour of the nanocomposites. Space charge polarisation and relaxation dynamics of Cl-NR composites were explained based on modulus spectra. The McCullough model was found to be the most promising one to explain the DC conductivity of the system which emphasizes the importance of interfacial interaction at the boundary of filler and the rubber chain for the network formation. According to the results of this study, these samples can be used in highly durable flexible electronic devices such as conductive sensors, actuators and super-capacitors.

High performance optical and electrical properties of zinc oxide reinforced poly(diphenylamine) nanocomposites for optoelectronic applications

“…For all samples s < 1, indicates the existent hopping conduction of charge carriers between localized states. [60,61] According to the CBH model, the maximum barrier height for hopping (U m ) or the energy required for charge carrier hopping can be calculated from the frequency exponent using the following equation and the obtained values of U m in eV are summarized in Table 2.…”

Enhanced dielectric properties, thermal stability and ammonia sensing performance of poly(diphenylamine)/zinc oxide nanocomposites via one step polymerization

“…At lower frequencies, charge carriers require a colossal amount of energy for hopping between the energy levels, thereby resulting in a large energy loss. Moreover, the existence of orientation polarization enhances the tan δ values at lower frequencies 38 . On the other hand, charge carrier movement between energy levels is promoted at higher frequencies without energy consumption, this leads to decreased tan δ value 42 .…”

“…In electronic polarization, electron displacement occurs relative to the nucleus, whereas in atomic polarization the displacement of the nucleus relative to another nucleus occurs. In the case of polar molecules, the polarizability originates from orientation polarization 38 . The dependence of frequency on dielectric constant ( ε ') at room temperature for PDPA and PDPA/ZnO nanocomposites is depicted in Figure 7.…”

“…In the case of polar molecules, the polarizability originates from orientation polarization. 38 The dependence of frequency on dielectric constant (ε') at room temperature for PDPA and PDPA/ZnO nanocomposites is depicted in Figure 7. It can be seen that for all samples, the ε' diminishes with increasing frequency until 10 4 Hz and then remains constant.…”

“…Moreover, the existence of orientation polarization enhances the tanδ values at lower frequencies. 38 On the other hand, charge carrier movement between energy levels is promoted at higher frequencies without energy consumption, this leads to decreased tan δ value. 42 In comparison, all composites exhibit enhanced tanδ values than pure PDPA due to excellent interfacial interaction between metal oxides of nanofiller and polar polymer.…”