Synthesis, characterization, dielectric and rectification properties of PANI/Nd2O3:Al2O3 nanocomposites

Polyaniline-Nd2O3:Al2O3 nanocomposites were prepared by in situ oxidative polymerization method using different weight percentages of oxide powders. The prepared nanocomposites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction for molecular and crystal structures. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy images show the tubular structure of polyaniline nanocomposite with embedded metal oxides. The electrical conductivity of the nanocomposites increases with increase in temperature as well as with concentration of Nd2O3:Al2O3 particles in polyaniline. This is because of the hopping of charge polarons and extended chain length of the nanocomposites as evidenced by the negative thermal coefficient (NTC) characteristic. A high NTC value of 2.67 was found in nanocomposites with 15wt% of oxide particles. These nanocomposites show low dielectric constant and dielectric loss; the electrical conductivity is higher than 0.3 S/cm as confirmed by Cole-Cole plot that indicates a decrease in both grain resistance and bulk resistance of the nanocomposites. The current-voltage and capacitance-voltage measurements were also carried out. The carrier mobility mu values of pure polyaniline and nanocomposites were found to be 4.27 x 10(-3) and 1.45 x 10(-2) H.M-1, respectively. A significant enhancement in carrier mobility was observed in comparison with the literature. Copyright (C) 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.