Dielectric properties of irradiated polymer/multiwalled carbon nanotube and its amino functionalized form

ABSTRACT The polymer/multiwalled carbon nanotube [poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/carboxyethyl acrylate (CEA)]‐multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) and its amino functionalized (PVA/CEA)‐MWCNT‐NH2 nanocomposite samples were successfully synthesized by the chemical method in the form of films. The samples were irradiated with gamma‐ray doses of 50 and 100 kGy and with ion beam fluence of 2.5 × 1018 and 3.75 × 1018 ions cm−2. The prepared nanocomposite samples were characterized using X‐ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. The X‐ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis confirm the existence of the chemical crosslinking occurred in the polymer compositions. The AC electrical conductivity, electrical modulus, dielectric constant, and dielectric loss in the frequency range 102–106 Hz are measured at room temperature. The electrical conductivity is increased with MWCNT doping, gamma‐irradiation, and by ion beam irradiation. A comprehensive analysis of the results revealed that dielectric properties are improved due to the induced physicochemical changes and conductive networks induced by ion beam irradiation. The behavioral effect of these embedded nanoparticles in a PVA matrix on the microstructural, dielectric, and electric properties is analyzed for possible device applications. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46647.