Composition controllable multifunctionality of PVDF/PMMA/BaTiO3/OMMT based ternary and quaternary hybrid polymer nanocomposites

Abstract

State-of-the-art engineered multifunctional nanocomposites composed of different polymer matrices and functional nanomaterials are in high industrial demand for advances in all-solid-state flexible device technologies. Within this framework, the host matrices of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and its blend with poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and the barium titanate (BaTiO3) and organo-modified montmorillonite (OMMT) clay mixed nanomaterial dispersed ternary PVDF/x wt% (BaTiO3+OMMT) and quaternary (PVDF+PMMA)/x wt% (BaTiO3+OMMT) hybrid polymer nanocomposites (HPNCs) are prepared through ultrasonicated homogenized solution casting method. The XRD patterns and FTIR transmittance spectra confirmed the composition dependent crystal phases of the PVDF and the heterogeneous polymer-polymer and polymer-nanomaterial interactions in these HPNC materials. The DSC measurements explained a huge alteration in the PVDF crystallite melting temperatures and also the degree of crystallinity of different HPNC materials. The UV–Vis absorbance of these hybrid materials depends strongly on their composition design and demonstrated dual energy band gaps attributed to host polymer matrices and the nanofillers. The dielectric permittivity dispersion in the broadband frequency range of 20 Hz − 1 GHz explains the contribution of several polarizations and relaxation processes in these complex composites, at 27 °C. Appreciably high dielectric permittivity (4 to 7) in the 20 Hz − 1 MHz range and low permittivity at the ultra high radio frequencies confirmed the promising nanodielectric characteristics of these hybrid materials. The interesting structure-property relationship, tunable energy band gaps, a wide range of composition controllable dielectric permittivity, and frequency dependent electrical conductivity revealed the usefulness of these HPNCs in making flexible-type innovative optoelectronic, capacitive energy storage, and microelectronic devices.