Study of morphology and electrical properties of indium zinc oxide-modified kenaf fiber

Indium zinc oxide (IZO) was successfully deposited onto kenaf fibers (KFs) by a dip-coating method. The novel aspect of this study was the investigation of the electrical conductivity of the resulting indium zinc oxide-modified kenaf fiber (KF-IZO) by emphasizing on its morphology and the dipping rate used for dip-coating. KF was alkalized using a 5% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution. The dipping rate was varied from 1 to 30 mm/s. KF-IZO was then annealed at a temperature of 150 °C for 4 h. A modified four-probe method employing a copper metal attachment plate was used to evaluate the electrical properties of KF-IZO. A dipping rate of 5 mm/s, which yielded the highest electrical conductivity of 11.81 S/mm, was found to be optimum. Scanning Electron Microscope/Energy Dispersive Using X-Ray (SEM-EDX) analysis of KF-IZO revealed that the IZO film was uniformly coated on the KF substrates, and no significant thermal damage was observed. KF-IZO showed the potential to be used in smart textiles, electrostatic discharge protection, and as a reinforcement in composites.