Synthesis, Structural Investigations, and Dielectric Properties of Irradiated Flexible Polymeric Composite Films

Abstract

In this research, the casting solution manufacturing approach was used to mix polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and copper oxide (CuO) to create the composite (PVA/CuO). X-ray diffraction analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were applied to record the successful fabrications of the composites. Next, argon ion beams at fluencies of 2.5 × 1017, 5 × 1017, and 7.5 × 1017 ions.cm−2 were used to irradiate the composites. In frequencies of 50 Hz to 6 MHz, the dielectric characteristics of PVA/CuO were modified by the ion irradiation. The dielectric constant was enhanced from 39 for unmodified PVA/CuO to 356 for the irradiated composite by 7.5 × 1017 ions.cm−2, and the conductivity changed from 0.05 × 10−6 S cm−1 to 2.9 × 10−6 S cm−1. However, the potential barrier decreased from 0.24 eV for PVA/CuO to 0.21, 0.16, and 0.15 eV, respectively, for 2.5 × 1017, 5 × 1017, and 7.5 × 1017 ions.cm−2, and the relaxation time decreased from 9.36 × 10−8 sec for PVA/CuO, to 6.58 × 10−8 sec for 7.5 × 1017 ions.cm−2. The results indicate that the irradiated PVA/CuO nanocomposite can be used in a number of devices such as capacitors and batteries.