Influence of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles on AC Conductivity of Polyvinyl Alcohol-Polyaniline Polymer Blends

Abstract

Copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles were synthesized using a simple co-precipitation method. CuO doped (0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6% and 1%) polyaniline (PANI)—polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanocomposites were prepared by solution casting techniques. The crystalline monoclinic phase of CuO was identified by XRD analysis. The peak widths in XRD spectra of PANI-PVA-CuO (PPC) become intense and sharp with the increase in loading of CuO, which implies the crystalline character of PPC that results in higher ionic diffusivity and conductivity. The CuO nanocrystal morphology, surface topography and thickness of the PPC films were recorded by scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The chemical natures of the bonds were studied by the FTIR technique. The absorption spectra of CuO nanocrystals and PPC films were recorded using UV–visible spectroscopy. TGA and DSC techniques were used to examine the thermal stability of the PPC films. The prepared samples were kept to study electrical properties in the frequency range of 10 to 105 Hz in the temperature range of 30°C to 150°C. It was shown that as the applied frequency and temperature increased, the corresponding electrical conductivity increased abruptly. © 2022, The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society.