New Highly Conductive Nickel Nanowire-Filled P(VDF-TrFE) Copolymer Nanocomposites: Elaboration and Structural Study

• Published in: Journal of physical chemistry. C 2009-07, Vol.113 (28), p.12002-12006
• Main Authors: Lonjon, Antoine, Laffont, Lydia, Demont, Philippe, Dantras, Eric, Lacabanne, Colette
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: C: Nanops and Nanostructures; Engineering Sciences; Materials
• ISSN: 1932-7447; 1089-5639; 1932-7455; 1520-5215
• DOI: 10.1021/jp901563w

New highly electrical conductive nanocomposites were prepared by dispersing nickel nanowires into a poly(vinylidene difluoride)-trifluoroethylene P(VDF-TrFE) matrix. A suspension of individual nickel nanowires with a regular high aspect ratio (ξ ≈ 250) was elaborated. The nickel nanowires were fabricated by electrodeposition using templates in anodic aluminum oxide with a nominal pore diameter of 200 nm, allowing a close control of nanowire crystallinity. Polycrystalline or single crystal nickel nanowires were obtained. An oxide layer was observed on nanowire surfaces after their extraction from the template. Physical and chemical treatments were used to completely remove the oxide layer. Scanning and high resolution transmission electron microscopy studies were performed. The elemental composition and the nature of the nanowires surface were investigated by electron diffraction and energy dispersive spectroscopy. Nickel nanowires without oxide layers were elaborated. The electrical conductivity of nanocomposite films was performed as a function of treated nickel nanowire volume fraction. A very low percolation threshold of 0.75 vol % was determined. Percolated nanocomposites filled by treated nanowires displayed a highly electrical conductivity value. The conductivity value obtained above the percolation threshold is the highest value known up to now in the case of a conductive nanoparticle dispersion.