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).