Electric Field-Induced Assembly and Alignment of Silver-Coated Cellulose for Polymer Composite Films With Enhanced Dielectric Permittivity and Anisotropic Level

Authors

Yuwei Chen, Qingdao University of Science and TechnologyFollow
Yuhong Liu, Qingdao University of Science and Technology
Yumin Xia, Donghua University
Xueqing Liu, Jianghan University
Zhe Qiang, University of Southern MississippiFollow
Jiying Yang, Qingdao University of Science and TechnologyFollow
Bailang Zhang, Qingdao University of Science and TechnologyFollow
Zhendong Hu, Qingdao University of Science and TechnologyFollow
Quan Wang, Qingdao University of Science and Technology
Weifei Wu, Qingdao University of Science and Technology
Yongxin Duan, Qingdao University of Science and Technology
Kun Kelvin Fu, University of Delaware
Jianming Zhang, Qingdao University of Science and TechnologyFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-21-2020

School

Polymer Science and Engineering

Abstract

Multifarious wearable electronics with flexible touch screens have been invented for extensive outdoor activities. One challenge associated with these wearable electronics is the development of materials with both high dielectric permittivity and anisotropic light transmission, which is responsible for high touch sensitivity and screen peep-proof protection, respectively. Herein, we demonstrated a scalable approach for assembling and aligning anisotropic cellulose in a polymer matrix through the thickness direction via the assistance of an electric field to address this challenge. The alignment of silver-coated fibrillated celluloses in the polymer matrix not only significantly increases dielectric permittivity but also effectively enhances optical anisotropy. The impact of alignment degree and filler content on the dielectric and optical properties of polymer composite films has been systematically studied. The kinetics and aligning mechanisms of silver-coated fibrillated celluloses are revealed by in situ optical microscope images while an electric field is applied. We believe that this study provides a facile strategy to enhance both dielectric permittivity and optical anisotropy of polymer composite films by the alignment of embedding nanoparticles via an AC electric field, which is essential for future flexible electronics and display technology.

Publication Title

ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces

Recommended Citation

Chen, Y., Liu, Y., Xia, Y., Liu, X., Qiang, Z., Yang, J., Zhang, B., Hu, Z., Wang, Q., Wu, W., Duan, Y., Fu, K. K., Zhang, J. (2020). Electric Field-Induced Assembly and Alignment of Silver-Coated Cellulose for Polymer Composite Films With Enhanced Dielectric Permittivity and Anisotropic Level. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces.
Available at: https://aquila.usm.edu/fac_pubs/17360