Thermal and electrical properties of graphene incorporated into polyvinylidene fluoride/polymethyl methacrylate nanocomposites

Polymer blend based on polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)/polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and the blend incorporated with low content (≤0.08) of graphene (GN) oxide were prepared. The characteristic bands for PVDF and PMMA were detected in Raman and IR spectroscopy. There are shifts in Raman and IR spectra due to interaction between the polymer and the blend with OH and C=O in GN oxide. The TGA thermograms show main weight loss in temperature range from 321°C to 481°C attributed to thermal decompositions of polymeric chain. The thermal decomposition was shifted toward higher temperature than that the blend confirms enhancement of thermal stability of the films. The AC electrical conductivity and kinetic parameters were measured at different temperature frequencies. The addition of GN increases the conductivity. The values of ε″ are high at low frequencies and it is decrease with increase frequencies due to polarization effects or to the dipoles not begin to follow the field variation at higher frequencies. The increase in tan δ with increase in GN oxide content due to interfacial polarization mechanism occurred in the films corresponding to frequencies. All results data indicate that the nanocomposites contain GN were enhanced. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:E246–E253, 2017. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers