Recycled polystyrene/polyvinylpyrrolidone/reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites for optoelectronic devices

Abstract

Polymer nanocomposites based on recycled polystyrene (PS) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) with various reduced graphene oxide (rGO) loadings were prepared through a facile casting technique for enhancing the electrical conductivity of the insulator waste polystyrene to be applicable in electronic devices. The prepared nanocomposites were investigated by different techniques. FTIR analysis shows a reduction and shift of the main vibrational peaks of the blend, which confirms the introduction of (rGO) to the polymeric matrix, while XRD diffractograms provide complementary evidence for the transformation of graphene oxide into (rGO). The SEM image of the fractured edge of the sample points to a homogenous distribution of the PVP inside the major phase of the PS matrix. Moreover, the TEM image shows graphene oxide nanoparticles appearing in the form of dark lamellar structures with some light dots on a gray background, representing the polymeric domain. Besides, the TGA shows the existence of (rGO) led to some shifts in the PS and PVP onset decomposition temperatures when compared to the reference blend sample. Besides, the conductivity and dielectric properties of the prepared nanocomposites were characterized over a wide frequency range. Introducing (rGO) considerably enhanced their dielectric constant and ionic conductivity. The conductivity of these nanocomposites ranged from 10−11 to 10−6 S/m. The dielectric constant and dielectric loss of these composites were tested through frequencies, 0.1 Hz - 1 MHz, at 30 °C. The obtained values of the dielectric constant, loss tangent, and DC conductivity (σdc) suggested that the prepared nanocomposites could be used in various technological sectors such as energy storage, electronics, anti-static, and electro-static dissipation applications.