Dielectric properties and structural dynamics of melt compounded hot-pressed poly(ethylene oxide)-organophilic montmorillonite clay nanocomposite films

Abstract

The dielectric properties of melt compounded hot-pressed nanocomposite films consisting of a poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and organophilic montmorillonite (OMMT) clay surface modified with trimethyl stearyl ammonium as filler with increasing amount up to 20 wt.% OMMT were investigated in a frequency range of 20 Hz- 1 MHz at 30 °C. The predominance of OMMT exfoliated structures in PEO-OMMT nanocomposites were recognized by a decrease of the real part of complex dielectric function. OMMT concentration dependent dielectric and electric modulus relaxation times have revealed that the interactions compatibility between PEO molecules and dispersed OMMT nano-platelets in PEO matrix governs the PEO segmental dynamics. A.C. conductivity of these nanocomposites increases by two orders of magnitude in the experimental frequency range. © Indian Academy of Sciences.