Synergistic Effect of $\text{Co}_{3} \mathrm{O}_{4}$ Nanofillers on the Performance of P(VDF-HFP) Dielectrics

Poly (vinylidene fluoride-cohexafluoropropylene) (P(VDF-HFP)) exhibits excellent thermal stability, flexibility, and electrochemical robustness, along with exceptional dielectric, piezoelectric, ferroelectric, and pyroelectric properties, making it an optimal choice for next-generation electronics, including energy storage systems, actuators, and sensors. In this study, <tex xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">$\mathrm{P}($</tex> VDF-HFP <tex xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">$) / \text{Co}_{3} \mathrm{O}_{4}$</tex> nanocomposite films with varying concentrations of <tex xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">$\text{Co}_{3} \mathrm{O}_{4}$</tex> nano mesh (<tex xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">$0.0-7.0 \text{wt}. \%$</tex>) were fabricated and systematically characterized. Dielectric measurements revealed that the incorporation of <tex xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">$\text{Co}_{3} \mathrm{O}_{4}$</tex> significantly enhances permittivity and dielectric loss, particularly at elevated temperatures, attributed to improved interfacial polarization and charge carrier mobility. AC conductivity increased with both frequency and temperature, with higher <tex xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">$\text{Co}_{3} \mathrm{O}_{4}$</tex> content amplifying this effect. Mechanical tests showed that an optimal <tex xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">$\text{Co}_{3} \mathrm{O}_{4}$</tex> loading improved strength and flexibility, while excessive filler reduced ductility. These findings demonstrate the potential of P(VDF-HFP)/Co<inf xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">3</inf>O<inf xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">4</inf> nanocomposites as promising candidates for high-performance dielectric and flexible electronic applications.