Studies on the Electrical Properties of Graphene Oxide- Reinforced Poly (4-Styrene Sulfonic Acid) and Polyvinyl Alcohol Blend Composites

In the present study, graphene oxide (GO)-reinforced poly (4-styrenesulfonic acid) (PSSA)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) blend composite films were prepared using colloidal blending technique at various concentrations of GO (0-3 wt.%). The morphological investigations of the prepared composites were carried out using polarized optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The electrical properties of composites were evaluated using an impedance analyzer in the frequency range 50 Hz to 20MHz and temperature in the range 40-150 degrees C. Morphological studies infer that GO was homogeneously dispersed in the PSSA/PVA blend matrix. Investigations of electrical property indicate that the incorporation of GO into PSSA/PVA blend matrix resulted in the enhancement of the impedance (Z) and the quality factor (Q-factor) values. A maximum impedance of about 4.32 x 10(6)Omega was observed at 50 Hz and 90 degrees C for PSSA/PVA/GO composites with 3 wt.% GO loading. The Q-factor also increased from 8.37 for PSSA/PVA blend to 59.8 for PSSA/PVA/GO composites with 3 wt.% GO loading. These results indicate that PSSA/PVA/GO composites can be used for high-Q capacitor applications.