Effect of plasma irradiation on the electrical characteristics of the PMMA-PS/Al2O3 nanocomposites

Abstract

A nanocomposite consisting of (PMMA/PS) polymeric blend was prepared with the nanomaterials (Al2O3) by the casting method. The structural and dielectric characteristic were studied. The optical microscope photos demonstrated high homogeneousness and fine dispersal of Al2O3 NPs inside the blend polymer films, as well as the formation of charge transfer complex. The FTIR indicate to a physical interference between the polymer matrix and nanoparticles. SEM images showed agglomeration of small and close packed group of elliptical particles on the surface of the polymeric matrix as a result of adding different number of Al2O3 NPs. The insulator constant and the insulator loss of the (PMMA-PS/Al2O3) nanocomposites reduce with the rise in frequency, while the A.C electrical conductivity increases with increase of the frequency. The insulator constant, insulator loss and A.C electrical conductivity of (PMMA-PS/Al2O3) nanocomposites rises with raising of Al2O3 nanoparticles concentrations. The dielectric constant, dielectric loss and A.C electrical conductivity after irradiation have high values compared before irradiation which attributed to the plasma interact with the molecular of these nanocomposites. As a results of their improved electrical conductivity after irradiation, polymeric nanocomposites have been proposed for use in electronic devices, sensors, and batteries.