Reinforcement of the optical, thermal and electrical properties of PEO based on MWCNTs/Au hybrid fillers: Nanodielectric materials for organoelectronic devices.

Polymer nanocomposite samples of polyethylene oxide (PEO) embedded with multi-walled carbon nanotubes and gold nanoparticles (MWCNTs/Au NPs) were prepared through the casting method The polymer–nanoparticle interactions had been examined by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) measurement. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis depicted that these samples were semi-crystalline and the crystalline phases of PEO were reduced due to the incorporation of MWCNTS/Au NPs. The TEM micrographs indicated that the diameter range of MWCNTs is 10–25 nm and the shape of Au NPs was spherical with size range 2–25 nm. The redshift of absorption edge in the spectra of ultraviolet/visible (UV–Vis.) spectroscopy for the nanocomposite samples indicated a good reactivity between the polymer matrix and the nanofillers which in turn the decrement of optical energy gap value was expected, which was calculated from Tauc's relation. The thermal stability of nanocomposite samples was improved as indicated by the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) technique. The electrical and dielectric spectra of these samples had been measured using broadband dielectric spectroscopy. The electrical and dielectric measurements realize the favorable uses of these nanocomposite samples in the production of electroactive materials and further their use as the electrical insulating polymeric nanodielectrics in the production of organoelectronic devices. The Mechanical properties of the prepared samples were calculated by the tensile universal testing machine. Display Omitted • Nanocomposite films of PEO/MWCNTs/Au NPs were prepared through the solution-cast technique. • The FT-IR spectra depicted the interaction between the functional groups of PEO and MWCNTs/Au NPs. • The XRD patterns showed that the crystallinity degree of nanocomposite samples is reduced. • The TGA curves indicated that the thermal stability of filled samples is high as compared to that of the virgin PEO sample • The electrical and dielectric properties of PEO matrix were enhanced due to the MWCNTs/Au NPs incorporation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]