Dielectric Spectroscopy and Electric Modulus Analyses of Ti0.8O2 Nanosheets‒Ag Nanoparticles‒Cellulose Filter Paper Composites

Abstract

We employ dielectric spectroscopy and the complex electric modulus formalism to characterize electrical properties of the Ti0.8O2 nanosheets‒Ag nanoparticles‒cellulose filter paper composites, intended for use as a triboelectric nanogenerator. The addition of these fillers (5–17 atom% Ti and 1–6 atom% Ag) increases both the dielectric permittivity and AC conductivity while typically keeping the low loss tangent. The observed exponent to the frequency-dependent universal power law indicates the three-dimensional (3D) hopping mechanism in the composited films, contrasting with the 1D- or 2D-conduction in the ceramics. The electrical responses are also distinct from those of sole nanosheets, indicating some filler-matrix interactions. Electric modulus analyses indicate that the Ti0.8O2 nanosheets act as a charge generation/reservoir, while the Ag nanoparticles generate long-range conduction paths. The relaxation time increases with the dielectric nanosheets content but decreases with metallic nanoparticle content. In addition, these co-fillers decrease the dielectric heating but increases the refractive index of the films. The simple analyses reported herein could be applied to other composites, providing a better understanding on the role of diverse functional co-fillers.