Internal structure control of the TiO2 nanotubes and polysiloxane nanocomposites by nanosecond pulsed electric field

• Nanosecond pulse electric field-induced assembles of TNTs agglomerates.
• Controlled fabrication of linear dense assembles of TNTs (LATNTs) in polymer matrix.
• The noticeable decrease of electric resistivity by the LATNTs.
• Electron transfer routes in polymeric nanocomposites by reduced amounts of TNTs.

A facile technique has been introduced for incorporating TiO2 nanotubes (TNTs) in amorphous polysiloxane-based nanocomposite films and for linear and dense assembling of these TNTs (LATNTs) under application of nanosecond pulse electric field. The use of a nanosecond electrical pulse enables the application of high electric power without causing dielectric breakdown, which occurs when DC/AC electric field is used, and the formation of LATNTs which anchor the resulting composite film planes. The properties of the nanocomposites were investigated using X-ray micro CT scanning, digital micrographs, UV–vis spectroscopy and electrical resistivity measurements. More than 5.5-fold UV–vis transmittance improvement was obtained by the polymer composite containing LATNTs (TNT 5.0 wt%). Such a composite exhibited a decreased electric resistivity of 3.08 × 107 Ω m compared to the case for randomly distributed TNTs (3.25 × 108 Ω m).