Abstract
The main goal of this paper was to study the dielectric properties of hybrid binary and ternary composites based on biodegradable polymer Ecoflex®, single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCN), and liquid crystalline 4′-pentyl-4-biphenylcarbonitrile (5CB) compound. The obtained results were compared with other created analogically to Ecoflex®, hybrid layers based on biodegradable polymers such as L,D-polylactide (L,D-PLA) and polycaprolactone (PCL). Frequency domain dielectric spectroscopy (FDDS) results were analyzed taking into consideration the amount of SWCN, frequency, and temperature. For pure Ecoflex®, two relaxation processes (α and β) were identified. It was shown that the SWCN admixture (in the weight ratio 10:0.01) did not change the properties of the Ecoflex® layer, while in the case of PCL and L,D-PLA, the layers became conductive. The dielectric constant increased with an increase in the content of SWCN in the Ecoflex® matrix and the conductive behavior was not visible, even for the greatest concentration (10:0.06 weight ratio). In the case of the Ecoflex® polymer matrix, the conduction relaxation process at a frequency ca. several kilohertz appeared and became stronger with an increase in the SWCN admixture in the matrix. Addition of oleic acid to the polymer matrix had a smaller effect on the increase in the dielectric response than the addition of liquid crystal 5CB. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) results revealed that the molecular structure and chemical character of the Ecoflex® and PCL matrixes remained unchanged upon the addition of SWCN or 5CB in a weight ratio of 10:0.01 and 10:1, respectively, while molecular interactions appeared between L,D-PLA and 5CB. Moreover, adding oleic acid to pure Ecoflex® as well as the binary and ternary hybrid layers with SWCN and/or 5CB in a weight ratio of Ecoflex®:oleic acid equal to 10:0.3 did not have an influence on the chemical bonding of these materials.
Highlights
Among the important topics in recent science, conductive biodegradable materials can be distinguished, considering their use as flexible electrodes in optoelectronic devices such as solar cells, light-emitting diodes, or transistors [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12]
We investigated hybrid layers based on biodegradable polymers, liquid crystal, and single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCN)
In our previous research [13,14], we developed for the first time three-component composite materials based on biodegradable polymer L,D-polylactide (L,D-PLA), conductive single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCN), and liquid crystal 4-pentyl-4 cyanobiphenyl (5CB) for use as an electrode in opto-electronic devices
Summary
Among the important topics in recent science, conductive biodegradable materials can be distinguished, considering their use as flexible electrodes in optoelectronic devices such as solar cells, light-emitting diodes, or transistors [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12]. Skillful highlighting of the selected properties of individual components of the produced inorganic–organic compositions may allow for the construction of an innovative electrode based on unique solutions Another essential aspect that should be taken into account is the analysis of the environmental impact of the materials used in terms of the principles of green (safe) chemistry and sustainable development. The ecological problems that we are currently encountering worldwide do not allow us to stand idly by, and we want to take care of the planet in accordance with the principles of BAT (best available techniques) as part of our research For this reason, we investigated hybrid layers based on biodegradable polymers, liquid crystal, and single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCN). The search for cheaper alternatives to ITO is one of the challenges science is currently facing
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
