Preparation of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-graphene nanocomposites for energy storage applications
摘要
Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and its composite films have several potential applications in the aerospace domain due to their novel properties such as good chemical resistance, flexibility etc. In its piezo electrically active β-phase, PVDF exhibits low dielectric properties which restricts its use in certain aerospace and industrial applications. Over the years, various fillers, such as Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT), carbon nanotubes, Zinc Oxide (ZnO) and many more, have been added to PVDF to improve its properties for specific applications. In the current study, PVDF composite films of varying compositions were made by adding graphene powder to PVDF granules to improve the crystallinity and dielectric properties of the PVDF. The films were made by a three-step process of ultra-sonication followed by solvent casting and hot-pressing. The crystallinity of the PVDF-graphene films were increased as the concentration of graphene was increased which was determined by X-ray Diffraction (XRD). The films were then characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infra-red (FTIR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), dielectric spectroscopy and piezo test unit. From the study it was seen that 35 wt.% concentration of graphene in PVDF showed highest dielectric constant by approximately 10 times compared to the other PVDF graphene composites, without the formation of agglomerates. Dynamic Mechanical Analyser (DMA) studies showed that 35 wt.% composites having higher storage modulus than other composites and pure PVDF. PVDF-graphene composite films have applications in different fields, including energy storage, sensing, and biomedical engineering.