Boosting the structure, thermal, optical and dielectric properties of a thermoplastic polymer by some nanoperovskites

Abstract

Given their technological applications, nanoperovskites are an intriguing class of multifunctional materials. To exploit their unique features while avoiding some of their shortcomings, developing low-cost and flexible perovskite\(/\)polymer nanocomposites with enhanced physicochemical properties attracts various research groups. In this report, two different perovskites, lanthanum ferrite nanoparticles (LF NPs) and lead titanate (LT) NPs were obtained by a solid-state route and mixed with a polyvinyl acetate/polyvinyl chloride (PVAc\(/\)PVC) thermoplastic blend. LF and LT nanostructuration have been investigated by the transmission electron microscope (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The NPs’ good dispersion, uniform distribution on the homogeneous film surface and their complexation with the blend chains were clarified by XRD and field emission (FE)-scan electron microscopy (SEM). The Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) technique identified the influence of these nanoperovskites on the vibrations of the blend’s characteristic (chemical) groups. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) also examined the impact of LF and LT NPs on the films' thermal stability. LT NPs are more effective at manipulating the transmission spectra in the UV–vis and IR regions and shrinking the blend’s optical band gap than LF. The study of the dielectric properties showed that the LT/blend had a higher dielectric permittivity, better conductivity (2.72 ×10⁻⁶ S/cm) and higher energy density (0.48 J/cm³). The absorption index, dual-band gap nature, dielectric loss and dielectric relaxation in the nanoperovskite/polymer were reported. The findings of this study declare that these nanocomposites are the best candidates for photonic devices and supercapacitor fabrication.