Polymeric Nanocomposites Membranes with High Permittivity Based on PVA-ZnO Nanoparticles for Potential Applications in Flexible Electronics

Abstract

This study reports the optical, structural, electrical and dielectric properties of Poly (vinyl alcohol) thin films membranes with embedded ZnO nanoparticles (PVA/ZnO) obtained by the solution casting method at low temperature of deposition. Fourier Transform Infrared spectra showed the characteristics peaks, which correspond to O–H and Zn–O bonds present in the hybrid material. The X-ray diffraction patterns indicated the presence of ZnO structure into the films. The composite material showed low absorbance and a wide band of gap energy from 5.5 to 5.83 eV. The surface morphology for the thin films of PVA/ZnO was studied by Atomic Force Microscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy. The electrical properties of the membranes were also characterized by current-voltage characteristics and the DC conductivity showed Arrhenius behavior with values of activation energy from 0.62 to 0.78 eV and maximum conductivity at 2.4 × 10−12 S/cm. The dielectric properties of the nanocomposites were measured from low to high frequencies, and the results showed a high dielectric constant (ε) in the order of 104 at low frequency and values from ε ≈ 2000 to 100 in the range of 1 KHz–1 MHz respectively. The properties of PVA/ZnO such as the high permittivity and the low temperature of processing make it a suitable material for potential applications in the development of flexible electronic devices.