Synthesis and examination of electrical properties of new composite materials doped with neodymium and yttrium

Polymers are preferred in the production of polymer matrix composite materials due to their low dielectric constant. Composites containing conductive fillers embedded in polymers have attracted great attention in recent years. Within the scope of the thesis study, poly(NIPA-co-St) copolymer of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPA) and styrene (St) monomers was synthesized by the free radical polymerization method. The rare earth elements neodymium (Nd) and yttrium (Y) were added to this copolymer in different weight ratios (10% and 20%) and new composite materials were obtained. Structural and morphological characterizations of poly(NIPA-co-St) copolymer, poly(NIPA-co-St)-10% Nd, poly(NIPA-co-St)-20% Nd, poly(NIPA-co-St)-10% Y and poly(NIPA-co-St)-20% Y composite materials were carried out. The electrical properties of copolymer and composite materials were evaluated by taking into account the frequency dependence of dielectric constant, dielectric loss and electrical conductivity properties. It was determined that the dielectric constant (έ) values of the pure polymer increased as the amount of Nd and Y additives added to the poly(NIPA-co-St) copolymer. Similarly, it was determined that the dielectric loss (ε՛՛) values of the pure polymer increased by adding Nd and Y to the copolymer. The conductivity values was calculated as 2.41×10–9 S/cm for poly(NIPA-co-St) copolymer, 1.86×10–8 S/cm for poly(NIPA-co-St)-10%Nd composite, 4.78×10–8 S/cm for poly(NIPA-co-St)-20%Nd composite, 1.92×10–8 S/cm for poly(NIPA-co-St)-10%Y composite, 3.70×10–8 S/cm for poly(NIPA-co-St )-20%Y composite. According to the electrical property results obtained, it can be said that there is an improvement in the electrical properties by adding Nd and Y elements to the poly(NIPA-co-St) copolymer. The resulting composite materials can be used in many different areas such as electronic parts, sensors, conductive coatings, capacitors that require electrical conductivity.