Synthesis of carbon nanotubes/titanium dioxide and study of its effect on the optical, dielectric, and mechanical properties of polyvinyl alcohol/sodium alginate for energy storage devices

In this system, the solvent casting technique was used to prepare polymer nanocomposites from the multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/TiO2 nanoparticles (as nanofiller)-doped polyvinyl alcohol/sodium alginate (PVA/SA) blend. The modification in the structure of the nanocomposites is proved by the studies of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis evidenced that the MWCNTs/TiO2 nanoparticles were incorporated in the PVA/SA polymer. The optical energy gap of the polymer blend is reduced after incorporating the MWCNTs/TiO2. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) has demonstrated the nanocomposites' excellent thermal stability compared to pure blend, as well as its enhancement with the addition of MWCNTs/TiO2 nanoparticles. The AC conductivity and dielectric properties of the nanocomposite enhanced as compared to pure PVA/SA. Also, the electrical properties were higher due to the loading of MWCNTs/TiO2 nanoparticles. The increase in elongation at the break and higher tensile strength of nanocomposites compared to pure polymer blends suggested that MWCNTs/TiO2 nanoparticles in the polymer matrix provided greater reinforcement. Thus, it was generally concluded that the polymer nanocomposite is better than the pure blend due to its superior dielectric constant, thermal, optical, and mechanical properties, which make them useful in the manufacture of nanoelectronic devices of high energy storage.