Impact of Ionic Liquid on the Dielectric and Mechanical Performance of Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC)/Reduced Graphene Oxide (RGO) Nanocomposites

Abstract

Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) composites with enhanced electrical and mechanical properties are fabricated using a hybrid filler. This study hereby reports the effect of introducing reduced graphene oxide (RGO)/ionic liquid (IL) hybrid filler on the properties of plasticized PVC. Hybrid nanostructures, if appropriately designed, are expected to combine the merits of the individual building nanomaterials. An imidazolium based ionic liquid, 1-benzyl-3-methyl imidazolium tetra fluro borate is used for the hybrid formation. The structural and morphological characterization of hybrid filler using spectroscopic and microscopic techniques confirms the successful formation of hybrid. Dielectric constant is found to be increased even by the addition of a small quantity of ionic liquid to RGO. The ionic moieties in the added ionic liquid in addition to the bonds in the RGO are found to be responsible for the enhancement. Elongation at break is found to be increased with addition of hybrid filler due to the plasticizing action of the ionic liquid. It is clear from the investigations that ionic liquid, 1-benzyl-3-methyl imidazolium tetra fluro borate can be used as an efficient modifier for RGO.