Carboxyl Functionalized Multi‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes‐Lead Zirconate Titanate‐Polyvinyl Alcohol Tri‐Phase Percolative Composites with Enhanced Dielectric and Electrical Properties

Abstract

A tri‐phase composite film with carboxyl functionalized multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (f‐MWCNT) and ferroelectric phase lead zirconate titanate (PZT) particles introduced in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix and are prepared via solution casting technique. The f‐MWCNT‐PZT‐PVA composites are characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). FTIR studies indicate the chemical interaction between f‐MWCNT and polymer matrix. SEM results confirm that PZT particles were seated on the floor of functionalized MWCNTs and dispersed within the polymer matrix. The said composite with enhanced dielectric properties with a wide range of frequency exhibits high dielectric constant (114) and loss value remains 1.8 (100 Hz) for 2 wt.% of filler loading. The percolation theory was used to explain the dielectric properties of the composites. Further, the AC electrical conductivity of the composites significantly improved and the conductivity with frequency had been described by the power law. These findings may suggest the utility of tri‐phase composites in the field of energy storage applications.