Synthesis and Characterization of Low-Cost, N-Type Flexible Hybrid Organic/Inorganic Composite Sheets of PVDF Incorporating Ni and Cu Nanoparticles for Enhanced Electrical Conductivity and Thermoelectric Properties at Room Temperature

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@article{1705829,
      author = {P. Samarasekara, Chathuranga Rathnayake, L. K. Narangammana, Roshan Thotagamuge, P.G.D.C.K. Karunarathna},
      title = {Synthesis and Characterization of Low-Cost, N-Type Flexible Hybrid Organic/Inorganic Composite Sheets of PVDF Incorporating Ni and Cu Nanoparticles for Enhanced Electrical Conductivity and Thermoelectric Properties at Room Temperature},
      journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
      year = {2024},
      volume = {7},
      number = {11},
      pages = {404-419},
      issn = {2456-8880},
      url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1705829.pdf},
      abstract = {Exploring the synthesis of an n-type flexible hybrid organic/inorganic composite sheet, this study enhances PVDF with Ni and Cu nanoparticles (NP) to improve its electrical conductivity and thermoelectric properties for various room temperature applications. Ni and Cu NP, synthesized through a chemical reduction method, were smoothly incorporated into a PVDF matrix. The optimal NP to PVDF ratio was determined to be 2:3 (wt), as further addition of particles led to the formation of cracks and weakened the flexibility of the sheet. The synthesized materials' elemental composition, including Ni and Ni-Cu composites in various ratios, was analyzed using XRF, aligning closely with expected ratios and highlighting synthesis precision. FTIR spectroscopy specifies molecular structures and phases in PVDF-based nanocomposites. XRD patterns confirmed Ni and Cu NP presence and revealed trends in PVDF behavior with decreasing particle size. SEM imaging depicted well-defined particles and surface coverage in PVDF/Ni sheets, with additional Cu resulting in reduced particle density on the polymer surface, indicating compositional correlation The highest power factor, 4.964 ?W m-1 K-2 and figure of merit, 0.003, were achieved at 298 K for the composite with the weight ratio of PVDF/Ni (2:3). The four-probe method demonstrated an impressive conductivity of 25.64 S cm-1 at 298 K. Furthermore, Seebeck coefficient showed a - 44 ?V K-1 indicating n-type behavior, and thermal conductivity was 0.5 W m-1 K-1, which is consistent with the low thermal conductance required for effective thermoelectric materials.  Excessive addition of Cu nanoparticles to the PVDF/Ni composite disrupts optimal Ni-PVDF interaction, impeding continuous conductive pathways and diminishing electrical conductivity and thermoelectric properties, highlighting the need for precise composite formulation. Tensile strength and elastic modulus measurements were conducted, highlighting the flexibility of the developed thermoelectric material. This study lays the foundation for the successful creation of a low-cost, n-type flexible thermoelectric material using Ni nanoparticles and PVDF.},
      keywords = {PVDF, Ni nanoparticles, Flexible, n-type, Thermoelectric, Power factor},
      month = {May},
  }