Influence of carbonization on phase transition and electrical conductivity of ferroelectric composite with Rochelle salt inclusion

The present study is devoted to clarifying effects of carbonization toward cellulose nanoparticles that are pre-carbonized at different temperatures of 240, 250, 340 and 400 °C on the phase transition and conductive properties of nanocomposites with Rochelle salt. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) technique was employed to investigate the changes in functional groups during carbonization process. The results indicated that the influence of carbonized cellulose component on properties of Rochelle salt volume part in the composite was negligible, but significant at the interfaces between Rochelle salt and surrounding cellulose. The elevated carbonization temperatures resulted in the reduction of phase transition temperatures and increase in conductivity. The weakness of Rochelle salt/cellulose interaction caused by carbonized cellulose and the formation of carbon clusters in the composite were considered as the main reasons for anomalous phase transition and high electrical conductivity, respectively.