Influence of lithium potassium zirconate nanoparticles on the electrical properties and structural characteristics of poly(vinyl alcohol) films

We investigated the influence of lithium potassium zirconate (LiKZrO₃) nanoparticles on the electrical properties and structural characteristics of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) films. PVA/LiKZrO₃ nanocomposite films were prepared by casting of aqueous solutions with varying LiKZrO₃ content (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 wt.%). The dielectric constant (ε′), dielectric loss (ε″), AC conductivity (σ_ac), dielectric loss tangent (tan δ), and electric modulus (M′ and M″) of the nanocomposite films were measured over a range of frequencies at ambient temperature. The results show increases in σ_ac and M′ with frequency, whereas ε′, ε″, and tan δ decreased with increasing frequency. The films were also characterized using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. DSC and XRD revealed the nature of LiKZrO₃ nanoparticle interaction with the PVA matrix. TGA analysis revealed an increase in thermal stability of the nanocomposites with increasing nanoparticle concentration. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed uniform dispersion of LiKZrO₃ nanoparticles in the PVA matrix.