Characterization, electrical and magnetic properties of PVDF films filled with FeCl 3 and MnCl 2 mixed fillers

Abstract

Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)/( x) FeCl 3 (20− x) MnCl 2 films, where x=0.0%, 1%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 19%, and 20%, were prepared by the casting technique. Their thermal and crystalline structure, electric and magnetic properties, and ESR were examined. For thermal measurements, with increasing FeCl 3 content, the melting temperature rarely changed while the thermal degradation temperature decreased. X-ray diffraction and infrared analysis show that the crystalline structure of PVDF changed drastically on addition of FeCl 3, indicating that there are interactions between the PVDF matrix and FeCl 3 and MnCl 2. The optical and electrical measurements revealed a nearly monotonic behavior of optical gap and electrical resistivity as FeCl 3 content increased. The direct current (DC) magnetic susceptibility indicates a predominantly ferromagnetic interaction between the magnetic ions at lower temperatures for all samples. The ESR spectra indicate the aggregated forms of Fe 3+ and Mn 2+ ions that confirm the results obtained from optical measurements and DC magnetic susceptibility.