Enhanced Electrical Properties of PVDF-TrFE Nanocomposite for Actuator Application

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) coated by compatibilizer (P3HT-PMMA) imparted stable dispersion in organic solvents and polymer matrix (P(VDF-TrFE)). The compatibility between CNTs with P3HT-PMMA was confirmed by measuring Raman spectroscopy. Coated CNTs were then blended with P(VDF-TrFE) (70: 30 mol%) to obtain polymer nanocomposites by solution- casting process. Polymer nanocomposites showed enhanced electrical characteristics, as nanocomposites near the threshold of the transition between P(VDF-TrFE) insulator and CNT conductor revealed great improvement of electrical conductivity up to approximate to 10(-6) S/cm at 1 KHz. Electromechanical properties of the polymer nanocomposite were examined as a function of electric field.