Investigation of the mechanical and electrical properties of SnS filled PVP/PVA polymeric composite blends

Abstract

In the current work, the mechanical and electrical properties of SnS filled PVP/PVA polymeric composite blends have been investigated. SnS (0 to 10.0 wt%) filled PVP/PVA (50/50) polymeric composite blends were prepared via solution casting method. A scanning electron microscope instrument was used to examine the surface morphology of the prepared composite blends. A dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA) was utilized to investigate the mechanical properties of the prepared samples over a temperature range from 298 to 450 K. DMA measurements reveal that the storage modulus and stiffness of the neat film are doubled via SnS filling. Also, the obtained glass transition temperature (Tg) values of all SnS filled PVP/PVA polymeric composite blends are shifted to higher ones as compared with that of the neat blend. The electrical properties of the prepared samples are studied over the temperature range from 298 to 450 K. The dc electrical conductivity (σ) of the neat PVP/PVA polymeric blend is also enhanced by SnS filling. Moreover at any temperature, σ of the prepared PVP/PVA polymeric composite blend increases as the concentration of SnS is increased up to 10.0%. The activation energy of the prepared composite blends is determined. The prepared SnS filled PVP/PVA polymeric composite blends could actively play a great role in industrial applications.