Investigations on electrostatic dissipative materials derived from Poly(vinyl alcohol)/ferrofluid composites

Biodegradable polymer composites based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and ferrofluid (FF) were prepared by solutioncasting method. Such composites were characterized by various methods in order to evaluate their potential for use as elec-trostatic dissipative (ESD) materials. Effects of ferrofluid content on mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties of thecomposites were investigated. The morphology of the composites was examined by SEM and the water contact angle on thecomposite surface was also measured. Experimental results showed that surface resistivity of the composites can be reducedby the addition of FF. The abrupt transition of such resistivity occurred in the concentration range 20-30 wt.% FF. Theconductive mechanism of the proposed composites is a complex manner, including contact conduction and tunnelingconduction