Anomalous dielectric properties of ammonium sulfate under nanoconfinement in a natural matrix of cellulose

ABSTRACT

In this work, a novel nanocomposite was prepared by filling cellulose nanopores with a classical ferroelectric of polycrystalline ammonium sulfate for clarifying its anomalous properties under nanoconfinement conditions and the influence of dielectric matrix. The filler content was estimated as 61 wt%. The experiments were conducted under a weak external electric field (1 V/cm) in the frequency range of 10–10⁶ Hz. The synthesized composite samples were characterized by XRD and FTIR techniques. The embedded ammonium sulfate had a higher phase transition temperature and a lower relaxation frequency in comparison with those of the bulk. The change in the phase transition order was not detected. The influence of the cellulose matrix on nanocrystals of ammonium sulfate is considered as the main reason responsible for the above anomalies.

KEYWORDS:

• Porous nanocellulose
• ammonium sulfate
• phase transition
• dielectric relaxation
• hydrogen bonds

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).