Enhancement of nanocomposite materials properties based on Y2O3 filler and PVDF matrix

The main purpose of the paper is to study the behavior of the Y2O3 filler in the PVDF matrix and the use of materials synthesized as coating films. For the nanocomposites synthesis, in the incipient phase the polymer solution is obtained by dissolving the polymer in the corresponding solvent. Thus, composites were obtained by mixing the main components, followed by the ultrasonication step in order to obtain a well-dispersed solution and deposited on unconventional substrates. After deposition, the film was thermally treated at 80 degrees C in order to remove the solvent and to densify the synthesized material. The impact of Y2O3 filler on the morphological and structural properties of the matrix was investigated by FTIR, XRD, FE-SEM, EDX and contact angle. From the FTIR spectra analysis of the composite the presence of characteristic bands of the alpha and beta phase was observed. The XRD spectra indicate that the addition of the Y2O3 did not modify the PVDF structure. SEM analysis shows that Y2O3 particles are embedded in the matrix, and the interaction between the components has led to particle size growth through a slight agglomeration tendency. EDX spectra of the composite indicate the presence of the two components, the contact angle show the improvement of hydrophobic character of the nanocomposite film.