Crystallinity, magnetic and electrochemical studies of PVDF/Co3O4 polymer electrolyte

Organic-inorganic nanocomposites are gaining importance in the recent times as polymer electrolyte membranes. In the present work, composites were prepared by combining nano sized Co₃O₄ and poly(vinyledene fluoride) (PVDF), using spin coating technique. The surface of the PVDF/Co₃O₄ system characterized through field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) revealed a porous structure of the films. The nanoparticles tend to aggregate on the surface and inside the pores, leading to a decrease in the porosity with an increase in Co₃O₄ content. Co₃O₄ nanoparticles prohibit crystallization of the polymer. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies revealed a decrease in crystallinity of PVDF/Co₃O₄ system with an increase in the oxide content. Magnetic property studies of the composite films revealed that with an increase in Co₃O₄ content, the saturation magnetization values of the nanocomposites increased linearly, showing successful incorporation of the nanoparticles in the polymer matrix. Further, ionic conductivity of the composite films was evaluated from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Addition of Co₃O₄ nanoparticles enhanced the conductivity of PVDF/Co₃O₄ system.