Synthesis, characterization and conducting properties of novel poly (vinyl cinnamate)/zinc oxide nanocomposites via in situ polymerization

New polymer nanocomposite based on poly (vinyl cinnamate) (PVCin) with zinc oxide (ZnO) was synthesized by in situ polymerization of vinyl cinnamate with different concentrations of ZnO nanoparticles. The composite was characterized through FT-IR, FT-Raman, UV spectroscopy, XRD, HRTEM, FE-SEM, DSC, TGA and electrical conductivity studies. The IR, Raman and UV spectra ascertained the structural variation of PVCin network by the insertion of nanoparticles within the polymer segment. The morphological studies by TEM and FE-SEM photographs indicate that the nanopowder was uniformly dispersed in the polymer. The presence of nanoparticles in the nanocomposite was clearly observed from the XRD studies and the ordered arrangement of nanoparticles within the macromolecular chain of PVCin increased with increase in concentration of nanofillers. DSC results showed that the glass transition temperature and crystalline melting point were increased smoothly with the increase in concentration of nanoparticles. Analysis of TGA studies showed a significant increase in thermal stability with an increase in weight percentage of nanoparticles. The DC conductivity of nanocomposite was increased by ten orders of magnitude with the addition of 7 wt% of nano ZnO inclusion. AC conductivity, dielectric constant and dielectric loss tangent of nanocomposite was remarkably increased with increase in ZnO content up to 7 wt% of filler particles. Both AC and DC conductivity and dielectric properties were decreased beyond 7 wt% loading.