Solid-state synthesis and dielectric properties of nanocomposites containing poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) /graphene nanoplatelets

Chitragara Basavaraja, Ju Yeon Park, Do Sung Huh

New conducting polymer nanocomposites of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) were prepared by simple solid-state heating polymerization of 2,5-dibromo-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) with different concentrations (weight percentage) of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs). The prepared PEDOT/GNP nanocomposites were characterized through Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and UV–vis spectroscopy, and their surface morphology was analyzed through scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy. The FTIR and UV–vis spectra revealed strong interaction between the PEDOT matrix and GNPs. The frequency-dependent AC electrical conductivity of the prepared nanocomposites was obtained at room temperature within the frequency range of 100 Hz to 2.3 × 10⁶ Hz. The conductivity of the composites significantly increased with increasing frequency compared with that of PEDOT and GNPs.