Fabrication of WO3–reduced graphene oxide (WO3–G) nanocomposite for enhanced optical and electrical properties

• Published in: Journal of materials science. Materials in electronics Vol. 31; no. 11; pp. 8370 - 8384
• Main Authors: Bhargava, Richa, Khan, Shakeel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.06.2020; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Carbon content; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Crystal structure; Crystallography; Dielectric loss; Dielectric properties; Electrical properties; Electrical resistivity; Field emission microscopy; Fourier transforms; Frequency ranges; Functional groups; Graphene; Infrared analysis; Materials Science; Morphology; Nanocomposites; Nanoparticles; Nanotechnology; Optical and Electronic Materials; Optical properties; Phase composition; Photoluminescence; Spectrum analysis; Stability analysis; Thermal stability; Thermogravimetric analysis; Tungsten oxides
• ISSN: 0957-4522; 1573-482X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10854-020-03372-0

We report an easy and efficient route for the preparation of WO 3 –G nanocomposites via a one-pot microwave-assisted method. The changes induced by the addition of graphene oxide (GO) on surface morphology, microstructure, thermal, optical, and electrical properties of the composite were investigated. The crystallographic structure and phase composition were confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy results indicate the presence of WO 3 and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) in composites and field emission scanning electron microscopy results confirm the growth of WO 3 nanoparticles on reduced graphene oxide sheets. Raman measurements show a decrease of carbon–oxygen functional groups and an increase in graphitic carbon content leading to the reduction of graphene oxide in the composites. UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and Photoluminescence spectroscopy were used to study the optical properties. Thermogravimetric analysis results revealed the higher thermal stability of WO 3 –G nanocomposites. The frequency-dependent dielectric properties of WO 3 nanoparticles and WO 3 –G nanocomposites at various temperatures were investigated and compared. WO 3 –G nanocomposites exhibited high dielectric constant and low dielectric loss with a decrease in frequency and an increase in the temperature. The Cole–Cole analysis confirmed that WO 3 –G nanocomposites have better conductivity and show non-Debye-type relaxation in the applied frequency range. The results showed that WO 3 –G nanocomposites possess improved optical and electrical properties, which would be promising for practical applications in future nanotechnology.