Tailoring poly(diphenylamine) with lithium silver oxide nanoparticles: Impact on structural, optical, and electrical properties for energy storage

Abstract This study introduces a facile chemical oxidative in‐situ polymerization method to synthesize hybrid conducting polymer nanocomposites based on poly(diphenylamine) (PDPA) integrated with varying concentrations of lithium silver oxide (LiAgO) nanoparticles, designed for energy storage applications. The impact of LiAgO on the structural, optical, morphological, and thermal characteristics of PDPA‐LiAgO nanocomposites is systematically examined using XRD, UV–visible spectroscopy, FTIR, FE‐SEM, HR‐TEM, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. Importantly, the tunability of AC conductivity, dielectric constant, dielectric loss tangent, dielectric modulus, and impedance is explored at various frequencies. The inclusion of LiAgO induces significant structural changes in PDPA, as evidenced by the presence of nanoparticles in FTIR and XRD analyses, along with shifts and broadening observed in the UV peaks. The FE‐SEM and energy‐dispersive X‐ray (EDX) analyses confirm the presence of crystalline metal oxide nanoparticles within the polymer matrix, while HR‐TEM reveals the uniform dispersion of nanoparticles at the nanoscale level. Thermal analysis indicates enhanced stability and an elevated glass transition temperature with increasing LiAgO content. The optimum AC conductivity (4.2 × 10 ⁻⁶ S/cm at 1 MHz) and dielectric constant (2972 at 100 Hz) are achieved for PDPA containing 6 wt% LiAgO. The Argand plot of the real and imaginary modulus components highlights the non‐Debye relaxation behavior of the nanocomposites, while the smallest semicircle observed in the impedance plot for PDPA‐6 wt% LiAgO confirms its minimal impedance. These findings underscore the promising multifunctional properties of PDPA‐LiAgO nanocomposites for energy storage applications. Highlights In situ polymerization was used to synthesize PDPA‐LiAgO. Improved crystallinity of PDPA‐LiAgO. Superior AC conductivity and dielectric constant. Enhanced thermal properties. The nanocomposites are suitable for energy storage.