Dielectric properties of nanographite‐filled PMMA composites prepared by in situ polymerization

In this work, a series of polymer composites was prepared by in situ polymerization of methylmethacrylate (MMA) as a monomer and sonicated nanographite particles (∼400 nm) as conductive fillers. The concentration of nanographite particles was changed in the step of 0.25 wt% in the monomer and five composites having a filler concentration of 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1, and 1.5 wt% respectively were prepared. The composites were characterized for their morphology, thermal, and dielectric behavior. Room temperature dielectric behavior of the composites was studied at six different frequencies of 100 Hz, 1, 10, 100, 500 kHz, and 1 MHz. Temperature‐dependent dielectric properties was studied in the temperature range from 30 to 150°C at the above frequencies. It was interesting to note that at room temperature dielectric constant (ε′) decreased with increasing concentration of nanographite and reached a minimum at a filler concentration of 0.75 wt%. Dielectric relaxation behavior was observed in the temperature versus tan δ curves. The dielectric peak shifted to higher temperatures with increase in frequency and vice‐versa. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers