Chemical synthesis, surface characterization, and electrical properties of nanocomposite films for dielectric applications

This work used the solution preparation casting method to fabricate the composite (CA/PANI), which consisting of conducting polymer polyaniline (PANI) and cellulose acetate (CA). The effects of PANI on the surface, electrical and structural characteristics of CA are studied. The XRD confirmed the successful fabrication of the composite CA/PANI films. Additionally, the surface morphology of nanocomposite films shows that the PANI nanoparticles are spatially scattered and shown in a random arrangement. The films of CA and PANI/CA were also tested for surface free energy, adhesion work, and contact angles. After increasing the PANI concentration in CA films from 10% to 20%, the contact angle of water dropped from 74.75º to 67.25º, and the work of adhesion increased from 91.02 to 99.82 mJ/m2 . Also, as the PANI content grows from 10% to 20%, the total surface energy increases from 28.42 to 40.22 mJ/m2 , the polar free energy increases from 11.64 to 14.06 mJ/m2 , and the dispersive free energy increases from 21.87 to 26.16 mJ/m2 . Additionally, electrical conductivity was tested between 50 and 106 Hz. With the addition of PANI, the conductivity increased from 4.5×10-8 S/cm for CA to 1.8×10-7 S/cm for CA/20%PANI. The obtained data show the composite CA/PANI improved in the electrical and surface properties, which is significant for dielectric applications.