Synergistic effects on dielectric and complex impedance properties in Ti3AlC2 MAX phase-infused PVDF-HFP/PMMA nanocomposites

Abstract

A simple solution casting technique was used to formulate films of polyvinylidenefluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene, polymethylmethacrylate, and Ti₃AlC₂ MAX phase polymer nanocomposites (PPT) with different filler content. The functional groups present in the PPT films were studied using the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the nature of crystallinity was observed using X-ray diffraction technique. The morphology of the films was studied by scanning electron microscopy. The thermal analysis was done using the thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermogravimetry analysis. The tensile behavior of the prepared films was studied from the stress-strain graphs. The ultraviolet–visible spectra revealed their optical characteristics. The dielectric parameters of the polymer blend and nanocomposite films like dielectric constant, loss tangent, AC conductivity, and complex impedance spectroscopy with corresponding equivalent circuits were studied. A comparative study of the above parameters was done for both the polymer blend and nanocomposites to find out the advancement in the properties of the prepared nanocomposite compared with the polymer blend. The nanocomposite film having 3 wt% of Ti₃AlC₂ MAX phase filler loading exhibited the best properties among all the nanocomposites. The enhanced dielectric properties of the nanocomposites with mechanical and thermal resistance can be used for real-time efficient energy storage applications.