Multifunctional GFRC composites: PEDOT: PSS-driven dielectric enhancement for energy storage and sensing applications

This study presents a comprehensive investigation into the development and characterization of multifunctional Glass Fiber Reinforced Cement (GFRC) composites enhanced with Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT: PSS) to impart advanced electrical properties. We systematically analyzed the influence of PEDOT: PSS concentration (0–15 wt %) and curing age on the dielectric behavior of these novel composites, evaluating their capacitance, dielectric constant, loss factor, and electrical modulus across a broad frequency range (10 Hz-10 MHz). The integration of PEDOT: PSS significantly modified the material's electrical characteristics, demonstrating concentration-dependent variations and complex relaxation mechanisms dominated by Maxwell-Wagner interfacial polarization. The optimized P2 formulation (10 wt % PEDOT: PSS) exhibited superior electrochemical performance, maintaining the highest capacitance values and achieving a peak dissipation factor (tan δ) of 0.43 ± 0.02 at day 15, representing a 185 % enhancement over unmodified GFRC. EDX analysis confirmed successful polymer incorporation, with P2 exhibiting the highest carbon content (5.8 wt %) and sulfur content (1.8 wt %), indicating optimal dispersion. Equivalent circuit models were established and validated (R 2 > 0.98), providing insights into complex charge transport mechanisms within this hybrid material. Microstructural analyses via scanning electron microscopy revealed significant morphological modifications, including the formation of crystalline and plate-like structures, while complementary FT-IR and TGA analyses confirmed polymer-cement interaction stability and thermal stability up to 450 °C. These findings establish fundamental design principles for creating electrically conductive cementitious materials with tunable dielectric properties, enabling strategic deployment in innovative infrastructure systems, energy storage devices, and electromagnetic shielding technologies. • First successful integration of PEDOT: PSS into GFRC, enabling electrically conductive cementitious composites. • Optimized PEDOT: PSS concentration exhibited enhanced dielectric properties and stable electrical conductivity. • Dual semicircular Cole-Cole behavior revealed unique polymer-cement charge transport mechanisms. • Long-term stability demonstrated through 60-day impedance analysis. • Distinctive crystalline formations confirm effective PEDOT: PSS network integration within the cement matrix.