Synthesis and Characterization of Fe3O4-oleate/Poly (vinyl alcohol) Nanocomposites for Electrical Applications

Abstract

Herein we report the Fe₃O₄-oleate (Fe-OA) nanoparticles (NPs) incorporated poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA), a series of highly flexible nanocomposites (Fe-OA-PVA) were prepared by the solution casting technique. The nanocomposites were fabricated with different weights per cent (0.25 wt. %, 0.5wt. %, and 0.75wt. %, 1wt. %, and 2wt. %, respectively) of Fe₃O₄-OA into the PVA matrix. The synthesized nanocomposites were characterized using FTIR, UV–Vis, XRD, Contact angle, Impedance spectroscopy, SEM and EDS. UV-Vis spectra initially confirmed the interaction of Fe-OA NPs into the PVA matrix by observing peaks at 223nm, 325nm and 410nm. The FTIR investigation uncovered evidence of an interaction between the NPs and the PVA polymer matrix. The incorporation of NPs into a polymer matrix shows an enhancement in various properties due to its nature. The surface properties of the composites were studied using the contact angle technique. The electric properties of Fe₃O₄-oleate/PVA nanocomposite films were estimated using impedance spectroscopy. Due to the dispersion of Fe₃O₄-oleate NPs into the PVA matrix, we obtained the polarization in dipoles, resulting in good AC-Conductivity properties. These synthesized nanocomposites may potentially use for electronic applications.