Rare earth element added polymer composite synthesis and optimization of electrical properties using the response surface method

In recent years, many studies have been carried out on the electrical properties of composites obtained by adding different additives to polymers. In this study, Cadmium Sülfide and Cerium (III) Nitrate Hexahydrate salts, which are salts of strategically important Rare Earth Elements (REE), were used as additives. Within the scope of the thesis, copolymers of Maleic Anhydride monomer and Styrene and Methyl Methacrylate monomers were synthesized by the Free Radical Polymerization Method. Response Surface Method (RSM) was used to optimize the dielectric constant (έ) and electrical conductivity (σ) of these copolymers. The quantitative relationship between the selected process parameters (Frequency, applied voltage and REE amount) and the importance of these parameters in the model were evaluated by analysis of variance (ANOVA). As the frequency increased in both copolymers, the έ of the polymers decreased and the polymer increased. With the increase in frequency and REE content, there was an increase in the electrical conductivity values of both copolymers. It was observed that the applied voltage did not have a significant effect on έ and σ in both copolymers. According to ANOVA results, the most important parameter of the model is the amount of REE. The structural properties of the composites synthesized in accordance with the RSM program were investigated by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and the surface morphology was investigated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). FTIR tests showed that there was no significant change in chemical bonds in the composites. SEM results showed that REEs were distributed homogeneously within the polymer and smoothed the polymer surface features. The presence of REE in polymers has been proven by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis. The effect of REEs on the thermal properties of polymers was examined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA).