Effect of ZTA concentration on structural, thermal, mechanical and dielectric behavior of novel ZTA–PVA nanocomposite films

Abstract

Zirconia toughened alumina (ZTA) nanopowder was synthesized by solution combustion technique. Polymer nanocomposites were prepared using ZTA nanopowder as the reinforcement and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as the matrix. ZTA nanopowder composition was varied from 0 to 2.5% by weight. Structural characterization was done using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). XRD results showed prominent, well defined peaks of zirconia and α-alumina, hence confirmed that ZTA is a crystalline material. SEM images showed that, level of agglomeration kept increasing due to increase in filler content, which might have contributed to film stiffness. Thermal analysis was carried out using differential scanning calorimetry. Addition of ZTA into PVA matrix resulted in increase in melting point as well as glass transition temperature. Influence of the nanofiller concentration on the electrical conductivity was found using Agilent 4249A impedance analyser. Conductivity measurements were carried out for all the nanocomposite films doped with ZTA and were found to exhibit insulating properties. Change in mechanical properties such as Young’s modulus, tensile strength and film toughness of PVA films as a function of nano filler content are reported.