Fabrication and Model Characterization of the Electrical Conductivity of PVA/PPy/rGO Nanocomposite

Owing to the numerous advantages of graphene-based polymer nanocomposite, this study is focused on the fabrication of the hybrid of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polypyrrole (PPy), and reduced graphene-oxide. The study primarily carried out the experimentation and the mathematical analysis of the electrical conductivity of PVA/PPy/rGO nanocomposite. The preparation method involves solvent/drying blending method. Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe the morphology of the nanocomposite. The electrical conductivity of the fabricated PVA/PPy/rGO nanocomposite was investigated by varying the content of PPy/rGO on PVA. From the result obtained, it was observed that at about 0.4 (wt%) of the filler content, the nanocomposite experienced continuous conduction. In addition, Ondracek, Dalmas s-shape, dose-response, and Gaussian fitting models were engaged for the analysis of the electrical transport property of the nanocomposite. The models were validated by comparing their predictions with the experimental measurements. The results obtained showed consistency with the experimental data. Moreover, this study confirmed that the electrical conductivity of polymer-composite largely depends on the weight fraction of fillers. By considering the flexibility, simplicity, and versatility of the studied models, this study suggests their deployment for the optimal characterization/simulation tools for the prediction of the electrical conductivity of polymer-composites.

Automated summary

This study focuses on the fabrication of a hybrid polymer nanocomposite consisting of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polypyrrole (PPy), and reduced graphene oxide (rGO), and investigates its electrical conductivity. The experimental results show that the nanocomposite exhibits continuous conduction at a filler content of around 0.4% (wt%). The study also proposes and validates several models for analyzing the electrical transport property of the nanocomposite, and confirms the dependence of the electrical conductivity on the weight fraction of fillers. The flexibility, simplicity, and versatility of these models suggest their potential use as characterization/simulation tools for predicting the electrical conductivity of polymer composites.