Electrical Conductivity and Surface Morphology of PVB Films Doped with Different Nanoparticles

Multiple poly (vinyl butyral) (PVB) nanocomposites films embedded with Co3O4,CuO, NiO, TiO2, and Cr2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared using the casting method. Loading ratios of 0.001 wt.% of the nanoparticles were used in films preparation and the process was conducted at room temperature. The electrical properties of PVB nanocomposites films were analyzed at a frequency of 1-3 MHz. These properties included the dielectric constant (real and imaginary parts (Ɛ' and Ɛ'', respectively)), conductivity (ϬAC), loss factor (tan δ), surface energy loss function (SELF), and volume energy loss function (VELF). These variables showed a significant improvement once the films were filled with the NPs comparing with the blank PVB. Furthermore, a surface morphology examination for the PVB nanocomposites films was conducted using the field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) spectroscopy. Overall, findings revealed that PVB nanocomposite films showed a higher conductivity compared to the PVB blank. Thus, this type of nanocomposite films could be utilized in photovoltaics, optical devices, and military apparatuses due to their extraordinary features, such as the radiation resistivity.