Abstract
This study addresses the growing demand for flexible multifunctional materials by developing self-supporting nanocomposite thin films of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) reinforced with in-situ co-precipitated α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles (0, 5, 10 and 15wt.%). The objective is to investigate the influence of filler concentration on structural evolution and functional properties. XRD results reveal enhanced structural organization, with crystallinity increasing from 41.19% to 54.87%, while SEM analysis shows a reduction in porosity from 14.80% to 9.04%. The β/α phase ratio increases significantly from 4.83 to 11.80, indicating effective stabilization of the electroactive β-phase due to nanoparticle incorporation. FTIR and Raman analyses further confirm phase transformation and molecular interactions. Dielectric studies demonstrate a systematic improvement, with the dielectric constant at 102 Hz increasing from ∼9 (pristine PVDF) to ∼23 for 15 wt.% composites, attributed to Maxwell–Wagner interfacial polarization. This enhancement is accompanied by reduced dielectric loss, suggesting restricted polymer chain mobility and lower energy dissipation. AC conductivity also increases, reaching ∼1.2 × 10-3 S/m at higher frequencies. Magnetic measurements reveal soft ferromagnetic behavior with magnetization proportional to filler content. These nanocomposites exhibit strong potential for flexible electronics and electromagnetic interference shielding applications.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
