Journals Proceedings

Abstract

Flexible polydimethylsiloxane-titania (PDMS-TiO2) nanocomposites of different composition are prepared using two mixing methods/techniques. In the present study, PDMS elastomer is used as base matrix and titania (TiO2) as ceramic filler. The effect of titania on thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties is investigated for different composites at various concentration of titania. A variety of electrical and mechanical tests are performed on the resultant composites and found that dielectric constant of composites increased significantly with the increase in titania concentration whereas volume resistivity of composites decreased. The effect of titania concentration is also studied with respect to tensile strength, % elongation at break (% E. B.), and tensile modulus. The effect of pressure on dielectric constant and resistivity of composites has also been studied in order to determine the piezoelectric behavior of the composites. Filler dispersion/distribution in PDMS matrix is studied through field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM).