Publication

Abstract : Solution blended polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-20 wt% poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc)-natural graphite (NtGr) blend nanocomposites exhibit a very low electrical percolation threshold of less than 0.5 wt% NtGr due to the formation of graphite nanosheets. The electroactive gamma phase induced with and without NtGr in PVDF-20 wt% PVAc blend film is confirmed by X-ray diffraction, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry analyzes. The onset degradation temperature corresponding to PVDF in PVDF-20 wt% PVAc blend nanocomposites is increased by 27°C when 1 wt% NtGr is incorporated into the blend, suggesting enhanced thermal stability of blend nanocomposites. Due to an increase in surface roughness of PVDF-20 wt% PVAc-3 wt% NtGr as evidence by field emission scanning electron microscopy analysis, the water contact angle increases to 141.6° from 83.44° for PVDF-20 wt% PVAc blend. AC conductivity analysis suggests hopping conduction in PVDF-20 wt% PVAc-x wt% NtGr (x = 1, 3, 5) blend nanocomposites. The interjunction capacitance increases with graphite loading in the blend.