Solvent-free ring opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone and electrical properties of polycaprolactone blended BiFeO3 nanocomposites

Abstract

A novel two-phase polymer nanocomposite comprising polycaprolactone (PCL) and nanocrystalline multiferroic BiFeO₃ (BFO NPs) has been fabricated by a simple casting technique. We have developed a new Schiff base ligand–Ti(IV) catalyst based on tridentate ONO chiral amino alcohol, which has been derived from salicylaldehyde. This catalyst plays a vital role in the ring opening polymerization (ROP) of cyclic esters such as ε-caprolactone (ε-CL). Nanocomposites consisting of multiferroic BFO NPs and insulating PCL have been prepared. It was found that the prepared nanocomposites PCL/BFO/1 wt% and PCL/BFO/3 wt% exhibit ferroelectric properties and reduced leakage of current density. Dielectric data were analyzed using the complex permittivity and complex electric modulus for the nanocomposites at room temperature. An improved AC conductivity for the PCL/BFO nanocomposites was observed compared to the pure PCL and BFO samples.