Transition metal oxides/poly(vinylidenefluoride) nanocomposites films with improved thermal properties

The requirement of higher thermal conductivity is always beneficial forenergy related technological applications. In this regard, we have synthesized Fe2O3−Al2O3/PVDF nanocomposite films based on transition metal oxides (Fe2O3, Al2O3) and PVDF poly(vinylidenefluoride) which show improved thermal properties compared to Fe2O3/PVDF and Al2O3/PVDF films. The films are synthesized by solution casting method at ∼30-40°C temperature and characterized using x-ray diffraction, thermal gravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. The x-ray diffraction shows the formation of β phase of PVDF and α phase of Fe2O3 in the Fe2O3/PVDF and Fe2O3−Al2O3/PVDF composite films. The films are found to be stable up to ∼400°C. Interestingly, the thermal conductivity is improved for Fe2O3−Al2O3/PVDF composite (∼0.12 Wm−1K−1) as compared to Fe2O3 /PVDF composite (∼0.07 Wm−1K−1). The higher thermal conductivity is discussed in terms of inclusion of nanometer length scale Al2O3 which lowers the interfacial thermal resistance between Fe2O3 and PVDF.