Dynamics of electric charge transport and determination of the percolation insulator-to-metal transition in polyvinyl-pyrrolidone / nano-graphene platelet composites

Abstract: Polyvinyl-pyrrolidone (PVP) loaded with different fractions of dispersed nano-graphene platelets (NGP) were studied by Broadband Dielectric Spectroscopy in the frequency range from 1 mHz to 1 MHz. Complex permittivity and dynamic ac conductivity as a function of frequency, temperature and composition were explored. The concentration-dependent insulator-to-conductor transition was traced through dependence of the dc conductivity and the onset of the dispersive ac ac conductivity. The temperature evolution of the dielectric spectra, below and above the fractional threshold exhibits different dynamics and signs the critical percolation threshold. Percolation is dictated by quantum penetration of the effective potential barrier set by the polymer matrix operating in parallel with conduction along physical contact of NGP, in accordance with predictions for systems consisting of a semi-conducting matrix and dispersed conducting inclusions.