Fabrication and dielectric spectroscopy analysis of FeGaInS4/PVA composite materials

The control of dielectric permittivity and conductivity is a crucial factor in the development of certain electronic components. Materials based on layered structures and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) show great potential for applications in supercapacitors. Therefore, the creation of polymer composites based on layered semiconductors and the determination of their physical properties is significant. In this investigation, a composite comprising 1 wt% FeGaInS₄ dispersed in PVA was synthesized through mechanical mixing, where the FeGaInS₄ crystal was incorporated into the PVA matrix. This study explores the physical characteristics of this composite for the first time. The structure of the composite was analyzed using x-ray diffraction (XRD). Electrical properties and conductivity mechanisms were examined using a dielectric spectrometer. It was determined that the hopping model conductivity mechanism predominates in the FeGaInS₄/PVA nanocomposite. For the 1 wt% FeGaInS₄/PVA composite, system parameters were calculated at a temperature of 313 K and a frequency of 5 × 10³ Hz. The parameters found are s = 0.814, potential barrier height W_M = 0.868 eV, hopping length R_ω = 14.7 × 10⁻¹⁰ m, and the concentration of pairs of states between, which charge carriers hop N = 1.396 × 10²⁶ m⁻³.

Highlights

• 1 wt% FeGaInS4 composite synthesized via mechanical assembly.
• Small crystals boost dielectric constant by 1.5× via interfacial polarization.
• The system parameters are defined: s = 0.814, W_M = 0.868 eV, R_ω = 14.7 × 10⁻¹⁰ m.
• Electrical conduction is multifaceted; conductance hopping dominates.
• Loss tangent decreases due to interfacial polarization effects.