Enhancing the electroactive phases in freestanding flexible films of MoS2/PVDF

Freestanding, flexible, composite thin films of MoS2/PVDF have been synthesized using sol-gel method. Concentration of the fillers was optimized to tune the formation of electroactive phases (EA). The maximum amount of EA phases was obtained for 1 wt% of filler concentration. The as-prepared samples were characterized to understand the effect of fillers on their microstructural, vibrational, and morphological properties. The fractions, of both beta and gamma phases, were calculated from infrared spectra. An enhancement of the EA phase from 28% to 83% was observed with the addition of 1 wt% of nanoflake fillers. The fillers were found to reduce the crystallinity of the host polymer matrix. Additionally, the morphology shows a change from spherulitic to fibrous nature with the appearance of nanoflakes on the surface for higher filler concentrations. The nanoflakes induce interfacial polarization. The intercalation of nanoflakes into the host matrix, leads to the observed trends.

Automated summary

Freestanding, flexible, composite thin films of MoS2/PVDF were synthesized using the sol-gel method, with optimized filler concentration influencing the formation of electroactive phases. The addition of nanoflake fillers significantly enhanced the electroactive phase, while reducing the crystallinity of the host polymer matrix and changing its morphology.