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In this work, we report a systematic study on charge transport and thermo-electric properties of poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate):poly(ethylene glycol) (PEDOT–PSS:PEG) organic thin films doped with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Transparent and flexible hybrid nanocomposite films were prepared by a simple strategy via bar coating technique. The effect of PEG treatment and AgNPs nanoparticles distribution in PEDOT–PSS films was examined through various characterization techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). The content of AgNPs in PEDOT–PSS:PEG was varied and optimized for 10 wt% as a percolation threshold. The addition of AgNPs and subsequent PEG treatment enhances the conductivity of PEDOT–PSS films from 2 to 420.33 S/cm due to the removal of non-complexed PSS and synergetic interaction between PEDOT–PSS and AgNPs segments via PEG. These highly conductive nanocomposite films were employed in an organic thermo-electric (TE) device to investigate the TE properties. These PEG treated PEDOT-PSS: AgNPs nanocomposite organic films exhibit a enhanced power factor from 6 μW/mK2 to 85 μW/mK2 which is nearly 15 times higher than that of pure PEDOT-PSS thin films. Due to ease of processing, flexibility, excellent charge transport, and thermo-electric properties, these PEG-treated PEDOT–PSS:AgNPs nanocomposite films can be potential thermo-electric materials for organic electronic devices operated at room temperature.

In this work, we authors report the investigation of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) modified poly(3,4-ethylene-dioxythiophene)-poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT-PSS): titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanocomposite sensors towards relative humidity and soil moisture measurements at room temperature for agricultural applications. The morphological and structural features of the nanocomposite films were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR) and theromogravimetric analysis (TGA). These characterizations reveal the successful formation of nanocomposite structures with improved thermal stability. The conductivity of nanocomposite film shows significant improvement compared to pure PEDOT-PSS by three orders of magnitude. Sensitive layer of PEDOT-PSS:PVA doped TiO2 thin films were fabricated on ITO substrate using the spin coating technique to study relative humidity and soil moisture response. The nanocomposite film was subjected to varying levels of relative humidity (%RH) ranging from 5 to 95% and varied moisture content in soils of Montmorillonite and Kaolinite at room temperature. The resistance was found to decrease with increasing RH and gravimetric moisture content in Montmorillonite and Kaolinite soils. The humidity sensing response of PEDOT-PSS: PVA doped TiO2 (8 wt%) composite thin film shows higher sensitivity of 96% with fast response and recovery times of 10 and 50 s respectively. Further, the sensitivities of 10.5 and 8.32 kΩ with 0.2% variation in gravimetric water content were achieved upon exposure of the prepared sensor to red and black soils respectively. Due to being relatively inexpensive, simple fabrication technique, excellent sensitivity, good repeatability and reproducibility these PVA modified PEDOT-PSS: TiO2 nanocomposites sensors could be potentially useful in quantification of soil moisture content and relative humidity for agricultural applications.

Design and development of new generation smart sensors for medical applications have gained considerable interest of research community in the recent past. In this work, we propose the fabrication of highly sensitive paracetamol sensors-based iron oxide nanoparticles intercalated with graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4 ) (GCN) via insitu chemical synthesis. Structural features of the composites were analyzed through SEM, EDX, XRD, FTIR, and UV-Visible spectroscopic techniques. Presence of iron oxide nanoparticles in GCN, significantly improved the conductivity bare GCN from 16 to 125 S cm −1 due to extended π–π conjugation and large surface area in the composite system. The GCN-Iron oxide (GCN-FO) nanocomposite has been employed as an electrochemical sensing platform for non-enzymatic detection of paracetamol. The electrochemical studies and cyclic voltammetry (CV) results shows that the GCN-FO composite exhibit superior electrochemical properties due to their lower values of the oxidation and reduction potentials. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) studies indicate decreased charge-transfer resistance for iron oxide doped GCN composite in compare to base GCN. The improved electrochemical sensing performance of modified GCN-FO composite electrode is attributed to the formation heterojunctions between iron oxide nanoparticles and GCN. The modified GCN-FO electrodes were employed for non-enzymatic electrochemical detection of PR. The GCN-FO composite electrode shows excellent sensitivity towards PR with a LOD 0.3 μM. Furthermore, the modified GCN-FO electrodes show excellent reproducibility, selectivity, stability and anti-interference performance. Due to its low-cost fabrication, superior electrochemical sensing performance, these modified GCN-FO electrodes could be a promising material for the detection of paracetamol at low concentrations.

The objective of this research is to prepare a series of conducting polyaniline/graphene composites by in situ chemical oxidative method through polymerization of aniline in the existence of graphene of various weight percentages. The prepared composites were examined through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy respectively. The conductivity and dielectric attributes exhibited composition dependent percolation behavior with enhanced properties for 15 wt% of graphene in polyaniline matrix. The Hall-effect studies were performed in the prepared composites and the investigations confirm that the composites behave as n-type semi-conductors. From the data obtained one can envisage remarkable improvement in the charge transport and dielectric properties of the composite at the percolation threshold due to the presence of nano-size additive in the composite. The temperature dependent conductivity in doped composites was increased by five fold in compare to pure PANI. The doping of graphene in PANI matrix, the improved dielectric parameters were achieved. The Hall effect studies were carried out in the prepared composites, the results shows that composites behaves like a n-type semiconductor. Further, the mechanical properties such as tensile stress and tensile strain were carried out in the prepared composites.

Herein, we report the formation of organic composite coating consists of epoxy (EP) reinforced para toluene sulphonic acid (PTSA) doped polypyrrole (PPy)–manganese iron oxide (MnFe 2 O 2 ) as an efficient corrosion inhibitor for copper substrates. The PTSA doped PPy:MnFe 2 O 2 nanocomposite was synthesized via in situ polymerization of PPy in the presence of MnFe 2 O 2 nanoparticles. Structural features of the prepared samples were characterized through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV–visible spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The PTSA doped PPy:MnFe 2 O 2 nanocomposite shows excellent conductivity and improved dielectric performance in comparison to pure PPy. The anti-corrosion performance of this organic composite coating was analyzed through Tafel polarization curves, open circuit potential (OCP), corrosion resistance, impedance spectroscopy and oxygen permeability barrier tests. The nanocomposite coating on copper substrate shows superior corrosion protection efficiency (99%) in comparison to pure epoxy (22%). Adhesion strength of the nanocomposite coating shows significant enhancement due to strong dispersions of MnFe 2 O 2 nanoparticles in the host matrix. Owing to its improved conductivity, excellent anti-corrosion performance along with superior mechanical properties, the organic nanocomposite coating reported in this work can potentially be used to protect the conductive copper surfaces from harsh corrosive environments.

Herein, we report the synthesis of novel nickel ferrite doped with yttrium nanocomposite (NiFe 2− x Y x O 4 represented as NFY) thin film with multifunctional features such as mechanical robustness and strain sensing properties for EMI shielding applications in broadband microwave frequencies. The thin films of NiFe 2− x Y x O 4 were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic methods. Inclusion of iron and yttrium nanoparticles (NPs) into nickel acts as an excellent conducting component and improves the dielectric and magnetic characteristics of the nanocomposite thin films. Due to enhanced dielectric and magnetic features, x  = 0.1 nanocomposite film with thickness of 0.5 mm shows strong absorption-dominated EM shielding behaviour of shielding efficiency − 23 dB (which is equivalent to 99.77% of shielding efficiency) in the broadband microwave frequency range. Moreover, the nanocomposite films of NiFe 2− x Y x O 4 exhibit superior long-term stability of EMI shielding efficiency under applied strains. Apart from superior shielding performance, these NiFe 2− x Y x O 4 nanocomposite films exhibit outstanding strain sensing characteristics. Owing to the properties such as light weight, mechanical flexibility, improved EMI-SE and superior strain sensing properties, this ferrites-based nanocomposite film can be used in foldable and wearable modern electronic gadgets as smart covering jacket over the shield.

In this work, we report a systematic study on charge transport and thermo-electric properties of poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate):poly(ethylene glycol) (PEDOT–PSS:PEG) organic thin films doped with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Transparent and flexible hybrid nanocomposite films were prepared by a simple strategy via bar coating technique. The effect of PEG treatment and AgNPs nanoparticles distribution in PEDOT–PSS films was examined through various characterization techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). The content of AgNPs in PEDOT–PSS:PEG was varied and optimized for 10 wt% as a percolation threshold. The addition of AgNPs and subsequent PEG treatment enhances the conductivity of PEDOT–PSS films from 2 to 420.33 S/cm due to the removal of non-complexed PSS and synergetic interaction between PEDOT–PSS and AgNPs segments via PEG. These highly conductive nanocomposite films were employed in an organic thermo-electric (TE) device to investigate the TE properties. These PEG treated PEDOT-PSS: AgNPs nanocomposite organic films exhibit a enhanced power factor from 6 μW/mK 2 to 85 μW/mK 2 which is nearly 15 times higher than that of pure PEDOT-PSS thin films. Due to ease of processing, flexibility, excellent charge transport, and thermo-electric properties, these PEG-treated PEDOT–PSS:AgNPs nanocomposite films can be potential thermo-electric materials for organic electronic devices operated at room temperature.

Herein we report, an enhanced dielectric and electromagnetic shielding interference (EMI) shielding properties of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) doped with iron–cobalt (Fe–Co–O 4 ) ferrite composites in broadband microwave frequencies (GHz) as well as strain sensors. The surface morphology, particle size, structures, and optical absorption properties were characterized different analytical techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction, and UV–Visible spectroscopy methods. The synthesized ferrite nanoparticles (NPs) were used to study the dielectric, magnetic, EMI shielding in broadband frequencies, and strain sensing applications. The doping of rGO into Fe–Co–O 4 lead to the formation of superior conducting grains and enhances the dielectric, magnetic, and EMI shielding properties of the ferrite composites. Amongst different samples prepared, rGO-doped Fe–Co–O 4 ferrites with thickness 0.5 mm exhibit superior absorption-dominated EM shielding features with shielding efficiency of − 24.16 dB (which is equal to 99.50% of absorption) in the broadband microwave frequency regime. Furthermore, the prepared rGO-doped Fe–Co–O 4 ferrite composite shows the excellent long-term stability in terms of EMI shielding efficiency under the variable mechanical strains. In addition to the good level of the shielding efficiency, this rGO-doped Fe–Co–O 4 composite relays superior mechanical strain sensing response. Due to excellent properties, such as light weight, mechanically robust, enhanced EMI-SE, and excellent level of strain sensing behaviour, these ferrites-based composites could be employed as a covering layer in next-generation folding and wearable electronic gadgets for potential broadband shielding and mechanical strain sensors.

In this work, we report on the synthesis of nitrogen-doped MgZnO thin films via sol–gel method using urea as a nitrogen source. The effect of nitrogen doping on the physical and optical properties was investigated through FTIR, UV–Vis spectroscopy, XRD, SEM, and TEM techniques. The FTIR spectra confirm the formation of nitrogen-doped MgZnO nanoparticles, while XRD, SEM and TEM revealed the formation of crystalline structure for the ternary alloys with particle size less than 50 nm. The optical properties of the MgZnO:N nanoparticles were analysed using diffused reflectance and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The diffuse reflectance spectra show a strong dependence on urea content in MgZnO which may be due to the π  →  π * electron transition of nitrogen 2 p x to oxygen 2 p z sub-shell of non-bonding orbitals. Current density–voltage characteristics of the nitrogen-doped MgZnO ternary alloys were investigated by fabricating a Schottky diode (ITO-MgZnO:N-Al) structure. The J – V characteristics of the Schottky device show a non-ohmic behavior with increase in current density with increased content of urea in MgZnO nanoparticles. Due to improved optical and electronic properties, these nitrogen-doped ternary alloys may play a significant role in micro- and optoelectronic devices.