A Study of Enhancement in β-phase and Dielectric Properties of Fe2O3 Reinforced in PVDF Nanocomposite Thin Films

Abstract

Development of renewable energy resources can be an alternate source of fossil fuels and helpful in the reduction of pollution present in the environment. Having outstanding physical and chemical properties, polymer nanocomposites with enhanced piezoelectric properties are appropriate candidates for the development of renewable energy devices. Magnetite Iron oxide (II) Fe2O3 is a narrow band gap metal oxide reinforced in Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) by solution casting method at 0.8, 1.6, 2.4 and 3.2wt.%. Dielectric and optical properties of nanocomposite thin films are analysed by impedance analyser and UV-visible spectroscopy. FTIR and RAMAN are used to analyse the enhancement in -phase of nanocomposite thin films. Various parameters such as absorption coefficient, skin depth, optical density, electrical conductivity, and dielectric constant are calculated for the prepared samples. A significant increase in dielectric constant and -phase is found after the reinforcement of Fe2O3nanoparticles. Dielectric constant and β phase are found to be maximum for higher concentrations of Fe2O3. Fe2O3 embedded in PVDF nanocomposite thin films are suitable candidates for piezoelectric nanogenerators and pressure sensing devices.