Studies on mechanical properties, dielectric behavior and DC conductivity of neodymium oxide/poly (butyl methacrylate) nanocomposites

The current article aims to develop poly (butyl methacrylate) (PBMA) nanocomposites with enhanced electrical and mechanical properties by incorporating neodymium oxide (Nd2O3) nanoparticles between the PBMA chains. The morphological, thermal and structural profiles of the PBMA nanocomposites reinforced with different loading of Nd2O3 nanoparticles were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The SEM images revealed that the morphology of the PBMA was significantly influenced by the insertion of Nd2O3. The uniform dispersion of Nd2O3 in the polymer composite was visible at 5 wt% loading of nano-filler. The main crystalline peaks of Nd2O3 nanoparticles in the amorphous PBMA structure were revealed by the X-ray diffraction analysis. The thermal stability of PBMA was greatly enhanced by the dispersion of Nd2O3 in the PBMA matrix. The tensile strength and elongation at break of the composites were measured and both results showed the enhanced mechanical properties of PBMA due to the reinforcement of Nd2O3 nanoparticles. The various parameters affecting the increased tensile strength of composite by the incorporation of nanoparticles were studied by different theoretical modeling. The electrical properties such as dielectric constant and the dielectric loss tangent (tan δ) of PBMA nanocomposites were enhanced with the addition of nanoparticles. Also, the DC conductivity of polymer composites was estimated and the applicability of different theoretical models for predicting the conductivity properties of PBMA/Nd2O3 nanocomposites were examined.