Preparation of PVOH coatings with graphene nanoplatelets for electrostatic discharge protective packaging

This study investigated the use of graphene nanoplatelets (GNP) as a conductive filler for electrostatic discharge (ESD) protective packaging. Various weight concentrations of GNP were mixed and sonicated with polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH). The resulting polymer solution was applied as a coating to corrugated board in order to form an ESD packaging. Surface resistivity, mechanical strength and coating adhesion were then measured. The study found that the electrical percolation threshold of the PVOH/GNP coating is 9–13wt% GNP. GNP incorporated PVOH coatings with surface resistivity of 10³–10⁸ Ω/sq. generally meet all of ESD packaging requirements. The humidity strongly affects the surface resistivity of the coatings below the percolation threshold, but the change of the surface resistivity with humidity is less significant above the percolation threshold.     

Electrical properties of a solid polymeric electrolyte of PVC–ZnO–LiClO4

The ZnO filler has been introduced into a solid polymeric electrolyte of polyvinyl chloride (PVC)–ZnO–LiClO₄, replacing costly organic filler for conductivity improvement. Ionic conductivity of PVC–ZnO–LiClO₄ as a function of ZnO concentration and temperature has been studied. The electrolyte samples were prepared by solution casting technique. The ionic conductivity was measured using impedance spectroscopy technique. It was observed that the conductivity of the electrolyte varies with ZnO concentration and temperature. The temperature dependence on the conductivity of electrolyte was modelled by Arrhenius and Vogel–Tammann–Fulcher equations, respectively. The temperature dependence on the conductivity does not fit in both models. The highest room temperature conductivity of the electrolyte of 3.7 × 10⁻⁷ Scm⁻¹ was obtained at 20% by weight of ZnO and that without ZnO filler was found to be 8.8 × 10⁻¹⁰ Scm⁻¹. The conductivity has been improved by 420 times when the ZnO filler was introduced into the PVC–LiClO₄ electrolyte system. It was also found that the glass transition temperature of the electrolyte PVC–ZnO–LiClO₄ is about the same as PVC–LiClO₄. The increase in conductivity of the electrolyte with the ZnO filler was explained in terms of its surface morphology.     

Hydrogen peroxide biosensor based on gold nanoparticles/thionine/gold nanoparticles/multi-walled carbon nanotubes-chitosans composite film-modified electrode

In this paper, an amperometric electrochemical biosensor for the detection of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), based on gold nanoparticles (GNPs)/thionine (Thi)/GNPs/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)-chitosans (Chits) composite film was developed. MWCNTs-Chits homogeneous composite was first dispersed in acetic acid solution and then the GNPs were in situ synthesized at the composite. The mixture was dripped on the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) and then the Thi was deposited by electropolymerization by Au-S or Au-N covalent bond effect and electrostatic adsorption effect as an electron transfer mediator. Finally, the mixture of GNPs and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was assembled onto the modified electrode by covalent bond. The electrochemical behavior of the modified electrode was investigated by scanning electron microscope, cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. This study introduces the in situ-synthesized GNPs on the other surface of the modified materials in H₂O₂ detection. The linear response range of the biosensor to H₂O₂ concentration was from 5 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹ to 1.5 × 10⁻³ mol L⁻¹ with a detection limit of 3.75 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹ (based on S/N = 3).     

Electrostatic properties and characterization of two-layer paper sheets

The aim of the research is to determine the electrostatic properties of two-layer paper sheets composed of laboratory filter paper and polyethylene. The volume resistivity and conductivity in a filter paper sheet, polyethylene film and a two-layer sheet consisting of them were studied. The experiment was done using two techniques. The investigated samples were exposed to static electric field and the surface and volume conductivity were measured in accordance with ASTM D257 standard. The same samples were also exposed to positive and negative air ion flux that allows a periodical deposition of a dosed amount of charge in order to measure electrostatic properties of the samples, i.e. to measure maximum surface voltage, sheet capacitance, surface voltage decay half time, volume resistivity, et cetera. A study of a two-layer sample consisting of laboratory filter paper and polyethylene film superimposed on the conductive surface in one position when the polyethylene film is on top and in other when the sample is in turned over position shows that the electrostatic properties of the top layer become dominant. The obtained results appear to be useful for more precise understanding of the phenomena occurring in multilayer sheets and to find a way to improve the multilayer sheets features.     

The effect of bernard-marangoni convection on percolation threshold in amorphous polymer-multiwall carbon nanotube composites

The electrical conductivity of amorphous polymer/multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composite films strongly depends on the Bernard-Marangoni (B-M) instability during solvent evaporation. We demonstrate that the films exhibit the lowest surface resistivity and the highest light transmittance near the onset point of B-M instability. The polymer/MWCNT composite films exhibit three-dimensional behavior in spite of the B-M instability. The percolation threshold for PC/MWCNT composite films at stable, onset, and unstable condition is 3.3 × 10⁻³, 2.75 × 10⁻³, and 5.15 × 10⁻³ vol.%, respectively.     

Decisive properties of graphite-filled cement composites for device application

Graphite-filled cement composites have been explored in order to design a new conductor–insulator composite system that can show higher shielding effectiveness to electromagnetic (EM) radiation besides higher mechanical strength. The fascinating feature of this work is the processing of cement/graphite composites through which both reflection and absorption of EM radiation are anticipated to increase with increase of graphite filler. The dc conductivity was initially found to increase rapidly with the increase in filler concentration; it then approached saturation after incorporation of 10 wt. % graphite. The permittivity increased progressively with increase in filler loading. Decrease in permittivity with increasing frequency has been registered for all compositions of the composites. The dielectric behavior can be endorsed to Maxwell–Wagner–Sillars theory, both in terms of filler concentration and frequency dependence. At a low frequency of 10 Hz, a very high dielectric constant of the order of 10⁸ has been noticed in 5 wt. % graphite composite, which is expected to increase further with increase in graphite content. The D-Shore hardness results have revealed very little alteration in hardness with increasing graphite content. PACS  72.80.Tm; 77.22.Ch; 77.22.Gm; 81.20.Ev; 81.40.Tv     

Studies on PEO-based sodium ion conducting composite polymer films

A sodium ion conducting composite polymer electrolyte (CPE) prepared by solution-caste technique by dispersion of an electrochemically inert ceramic filler (SnO₂) in the PEO–salt complex matrix is reported. The effect of filler concentration on morphological, electrical, electrochemical, and mechanical stability of the CPE films has been investigated and analyzed. Composite nature of the films has been confirmed from X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy patterns. Room temperature d.c. conductivity observed as a function of filler concentration indicates an enhancement (maximum) at 1–2 wt% filler concentration followed by another maximum at ∼10 wt% SnO₂. This two-maxima feature of electrical conductivity as a function of filler concentration remains unaltered in the CPE films even at 100 °C (i.e., after crystalline melting), suggesting an active role of the filler particles in governing electrical transport. Substantial enhancement in the voltage stability and mechanical properties of the CPE films has been noticed on filler dispersion. The composite polymer films have been observed to be predominantly ionic in nature with t _ion ∼ 0.99 for 1–2 wt% SnO₂. However, this value gets lowered on increasing addition of SnO₂ with t _ion ∼ 0.90 for 25 wt% SnO₂. A calculation of ionic and electronic conductivity for 25 wt% of SnO₂ film works out to be ∼2.34 × 10⁻⁶ and 2.6 × 10⁻⁷ S/cm, respectively.     

Sonication-assisted layer-by-layer deposition of gold nanoparticles for highly conductive gold patterns

Sonication-assisted layer-by-layer (LBL) deposition of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) was carried out in an attempt to prepare highly conductive gold patterns on polyimide substrates. First, sonication time was optimized with GNPs (12.8 nm) whose size was large enough to be analyzed by FE-SEM in order to evaluate the surface coverage. Next, multilayer formation (4, 8 and 12 layer) was confirmed using ethanedithiol (EDT) as linker molecules under optimized conditions by measuring their UV absorption, near-IR (NIR) transmittance, thickness, and electrical conductivity. Finally, 20-layer films using small GNPs (2.5 nm) were prepared with or without patterning, followed by sintering at 150 °C for 1 h, which provided clean gold patterns with high electrical conductivity (2.5 × 10⁵ Ω⁻¹ cm⁻¹).     

Effect of nanofillers on thermal and transport properties of potassium iodide–polyethylene oxide solid polymer electrolyte

In order to enhance the ionic conductivity of polyethylene oxide (PEO)–KI(80:20) based alkaline polymer electrolytes, nanosized inorganic filler ZnS has been incorporated into PEO–KI matrix and the corresponding nanocomposite polymer electrolytes are synthesized by the usual solution casting procedure. Atomic force microscope image of composite polymer electrolyte exhibits that the introduction of ZnS nanoparticles changes the surface morphology and aggregates them to form an arborization pattern. The prepared nanocomposite polymer electrolyte reveals an ionic conductivity of about 10^?4 S cm^?1 for 5 wt% ZnS at room temperature.     

Synthesis and ionic conductivity of polymeric ion gel containing room temperature ionic liquid and phosphotungstic acid

Composite electrolyte comprising phosphotungstic acid (PWA) filler and 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium-tetrafluoroborate (BMImBF₄) room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) in poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) matrix has been prepared. The polymer matrix was formed by free radical polymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) monomers. BMImBF₄ was used as both ionic source and plasticizer, and PWA filler provided the proton conductivity in this system. The interactions and structure changes of the PHEMA-RTIL-PWA composites were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectra, differential scanning calorimetry, and X-ray diffraction. PWA fillers maintained their Keggin structure within a limited range and enhanced the ionic conductivity of the composite electrolyte. The electrolyte with PWA at the 2 wt.% showed the highest ionic conductivity of 8 × 10^− 4 S cm^− 1 at room temperature and 96% relative humidity.     

Ionic conductivity studies of 49% poly(methyl methacrylate)-grafted natural rubber-based solid polymer electrolytes

The potential of 49% poly(methyl methacrylate)-grafted natural rubber (MG49) as a solid polymer electrolyte film in rechargeable batteries system were explored. The flat, thin, and flexible films were prepared by solution casting technique. The ionic conductivity was investigated by alternating current impedance spectroscopy. The highest conductivity of 2.3 × 10⁻⁷ Scm⁻¹ was obtained at 20wt.% of LiBF₄ salts content, while 4.0 × 10⁻⁸ Scm⁻¹ was obtained at 15wt.% LiClO₄ salts loading. The observation on structure performed by X-ray diffraction shows the highest conductivity appears at amorphous phase.     

Measurement of surface resistivity and surface conductivity of anodised aluminium by optical interferometry techniques

Optical interferometry techniques were used for the first time to measure the surface resistivity and surface conductivity of anodised aluminium samples in aqueous solution, without any physical contact. The anodization process (oxidation) of the aluminium samples was carried out in different sulphuric acid solutions (1.0–2.5% H₂SO₄), by the technique of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), at room temperature. In the mean time, the real-time holographic interferometric was carried out to measure the thickness of anodised (oxide) film of the aluminium samples during the anodization process. Then, the alternating current (AC) impedance (resistance) of the anodised aluminium samples was determined by the technique of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in different sulphuric acid solutions (1.0–2.5% H₂SO₄) at room temperature. In addition, a mathematical model was derived in order to correlate between the AC impedance (resistance) and to the surface (orthogonal) displacement of the samples in solutions. In other words, a proportionality constant (surface resistivity or surface conductivity=1/surface resistivity) between the determined AC impedance (by EIS technique) and the orthogonal displacement (by the optical interferometry techniques) was obtained. Consequently the surface resistivity (ρ) and surface conductivity (σ) of the aluminium samples in solutions were obtained. Also, electrical resistivity values (ρ) from other source were used for comparison sake with the calculated values of this investigation. This study revealed that the measured values of the resistivity for the anodised aluminium samples were 2.8×10⁹, 7×10¹², 2.5×10¹³, and 1.4×10¹²  Ω cm in 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0%, and 2.5% H₂SO₄ solutions, respectively. In fact, the determined value range of the resistivity is in a good agreement with the one found in literature for the aluminium oxide, 85% Al₂O₃ (5×10¹⁰ Ω cm in air at temperature 30 °C), 96% Al₂O₃ (1×10¹⁴  Ω cm in air at temperature 30 °C), and 99.7% Al₂O₃ (>1×10¹⁴ Ω cm in air at temperature 30 °C).     

Fabrications and dielectric performances of novel composites: Calcium copper titanate / Polyvinylidene fluoride

CCTO (Calcium copper titanate) powder as inorganic filler was synthesized by the Sol-gel method firstly. CCTO/PVDF (Polyvinylidene fluoride) composite was fabricated by solution mixing based on high temperature resistance of PVDF and insulated property of CCTO. The composite of CCTO/PVDF were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscope and impedance analysis. The results showed that the addition of CCTO and increasing in its content did not affect the phase- and micro-structure of the composites,but the increase of CCTO content can induce the generation of C–F new bonds. PVDF/CCTO composites were enhanced in performance of thermal and frequency-depended stability with increasing in the fraction of CCTO. The dielectric constant of CCTO/PVDF composite materials with 50% CCTO achieved to a maximum value of 50 almost, which is 5 times higher the pure PVDF. The conductivity felled into 10⁻⁸ to 10⁻¹ S m⁻¹ during the frequency of 10²–10⁸ Hz. The composite material would be expected to be applied in the field of integrated circuit.     

Polyaniline-poly(vinyl alcohol) IPN-composite prepared from potassium dichromate embedded PVA film: a material for humidity sensing application

Polyaniline-polyvinyl alcohol (PANI-PVA) interpenetrating network composite film is successfully prepared by in situ polymerization of aniline within PVA film embedded with different concentrations of potassium dichromate (K₂Cr₂O₇). The resulted composite is characterized by UV-Visible spectroscopy, SEM and XRD, TGA techniques and confirmed the formation of interpenetrating network formation of PANI within PVA matrix. Electrical conductivity of the composite films increase from 10⁻⁶ to 10⁻² S/cm with the increase in the loading of dichromate from 10⁻⁴ to 10⁻² M. Further, exposing in humidity environment, the conductivity of the composite films increases from 14 to 100% with the increase in humidity conditions from 11.3 to 84.3%.     

Investigation of reduced graphene oxide effects on ultra-violet detection of ZnO thin film

The reduced graphene oxide (rGO) incorporated ZnO thin films were fabricated by dip-coating method. The Raman and FT-IR spectra of 0.075 wt% incorporated composite film showed reduction of GO in composite film. The transmittanceProd. Type: FTP spectra have shown that rGO incorporation increase the visible light absorption of ZnO thin film while the calculated band gaps of samples were decreased from 3.28 to 3.25 eV by increasing the rGO content. The linear trend of I–V curve suggests an ohmic contact between ZnO and rGO. Besides, it was found that by increasing the rGO content, the electrical resistivity was decreased from 4.32×10² Ω cm for pure ZnO film to 2.4×10¹ Ω cm for 0.225 wt% rGO incorporated composite film. The composite photodetectors not only possessed a desirable UV photosensitivity, but also the response time of optimum sample containing 0.075 wt% rGO was reduced to about one-half of pure ZnO thin film. Also, the calculated signal to noise (SNR) showed that highly conductive rGO in composite thin films facilitate the carrier transportation by removing the trapping centers. The mechanism of photoresponsivity improvement of composite thin films was proposed by carrier transportation process.     

Direct writing of conductive silver micropatterns on flexible polyimide film by laser-induced pyrolysis of silver nanoparticle-dispersed film

This article describes fabrication of Ag micropatterns on a flexible polyimide (PI) film by laser direct writing using an Ag nanoparticle-dispersed film as a precursor. Ag micropatterns are characterized by optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), surface profilometry, and resistivity measurements. The line width of Ag micropatterns can be effectively controlled by altering the experimental parameters of laser direct writing especially laser intensity, objective lens, and laser beam scanning speed etc. Using an objective lens of 100× and laser intensity of 170.50 kW/cm², Ag micropatterns with a line width of about 6 μm have been achieved. The Ag micropatterns show strong adhesion to polyimide surface as evaluated by Scotch-tape test. The resistivity of the Ag micropatterns is determined to be 4.1 × 10⁻⁶ Ω cm using two-point probe method. This value is comparable with the resistivity of bulk Ag (1.6 × 10⁻⁶ Ω cm).     

Van der Pauw resistivity measurements on evaporated thin films of cadmium arsenide, Cd3As2

Cadmium arsenide is a II-V semiconductor, exhibiting n-type intrinsic conductivity with high mobility and narrow bandgap. It is deposited by thermal evaporation, and has shown the Schottky and Poole-Frenkel effects at high electric fields, but requires further electrical characterisation. This has now been extended to low-field van der Pauw lateral resistivity measurements on films of thickness up to 1.5 μm. Resistivity was observed to decrease with increasing film thickness up to 0.5 μm from about 3 × 10⁻³ Ω m to 10⁻⁵ Ω m, where the crystalline granular size increases with film thickness. This decrease in resistivity was attributed to a decrease in grain boundary scattering and increased mobility. Substrate temperature during deposition also influenced the resistivity, which decreased from around 10⁻⁴ Ω m to (10⁻⁵ to 10⁻⁶) Ω m for an increase in substrate deposition temperature from 300 K to 423 K. This behaviour appears to result from varying grain sizes and ratios of crystalline to amorphous material. Resistivity decreased with deposition rate, reaching a minimum value at about 1.5 nm s⁻¹, before slowly increasing again at higher rates. It was concluded that this resulted from a dependence of the film stoichiometry on deposition rate. The dependence of resistivity on temperature indicates that intercrystalline barriers dominate the conductivity at higher temperatures, with a hopping conduction process at low temperatures.     

Antistatic behavior of PAN-based low-temperature carbonaceous fibers

A kind of antistatic coatings which were applied to nonconductive surfaces were prepared with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) paint as matrix, polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based low-temperature carbonaceous fibers as conductive filler. The influences of carbonaceous fiber content, carbonization temperature, size and testing voltage on the surface resistivity of the coating were investigated. The surface resistivity could be well controlled in the static dissipative range (10⁶–10⁹ Ω) by changing the content, size and carbonization temperature of carbonaceous fibers. The present study could be useful for the application of chopped carbonaceous fibers in antistatic materials.     

PEG crosslinked poly(vinylbenzene boronic acid) polymer electrolytes for Li-ion batteries

Poly(4-vinylbenzeneboronic acid), PVBBA was synthesized via free-radical polymerization of 4-vinylbenzeneboronic acid (4-VBBA) and followed by crosslinking with polyethylene glycol (PEG) with different molecular weights to produce boron containing crosslinked polymers. Prior to crosslinking, the materials were doped with CF₃SO₃Li at several stoichiometric ratios to get PVBBAPEGX-Y where X is the molecular weight of PEG and Y is the EO/Li ratio. The materials were characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The ionic conductivity of these novel crosslinked electrolytes was studied by dielectric-impedance spectroscopy. Li-ion conductivity of these polymer electrolytes depends on the length of the side units as well as the doping ratio. PVBBAPEG200-10 illustrated a satisfactory ionic conductivity of 3.1 × 10^?5 S/cm at 20 °C and 1.8 × 10^?3 S/cm at 100 °C.     

Impedance spectroscopy of carbon nanotube/solid polymer electrolyte composites

New composite polymer electrolytes (CPE) have been prepared by a solution-casting technique, using polyethylene oxide, lithium hexafluorate (LiPF₆) as the doping salt, ethylene carbonate (EC) as the plasticizer and amorphous carbon nanotubes (αCNTs) as the filler. The crystallinity and ionic conductivity of the CPE are examined. Differential scanning calorimetry shows a decrease in melting temperature and crystallinity upon the addition of LiPF₆, EC and αCNTs to the polymer electrolyte system. The addition of salt increases the conductivity up to 10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹. The incorporation of EC and αCNTs into the salted polymer shows a significant conductivity increase of 10⁻⁴ and 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹. The complexation process is examined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The Vogel-Tamman-Fulcher (VTF) plots suggest that the temperature dependence of conductivity is a thermally activated process.