Ashish Kumar,
Pankaj Kumar Modi,
- Research Scholar, Department of Physics, College of Commerce Arts & Science, Patliputra University, Patna, Bihar, India
- Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, College of Commerce Arts & Science, Patliputra University, Patna, Bihar, India
Abstract
The DC conductivity of nickel nanoparticles–polydimethylsiloxane (NiNPs–PDMS) composite materials has attracted considerable attention due to their promising applications in flexible electronics, sensors, and energy storage devices. The electrical performance of these composites is largely governed by the formation of conductive networks within the insulating polymer matrix. Incorporating nickel nanoparticles into PDMS introduces conductive pathways that significantly enhance DC conductivity once a critical percolation threshold is reached.Several key factors influence the DC conductivity of NiNPs–PDMS composites. The size and morphology of nickel nanoparticles play a crucial role, as smaller particles with higher surface area-to-volume ratios facilitate better particle–particle contact and more efficient conductive networks. Equally important is the uniform dispersion of nanoparticles within the PDMS matrix, as poor dispersion or agglomeration can disrupt conductive pathways and limit charge transport.The loading fraction of nickel nanoparticles strongly affects conductivity. Increasing filler concentration generally leads to higher conductivity due to the increased number of conductive paths. However, excessive nanoparticle loading may cause agglomeration, which can reduce effective conductivity and compromise mechanical flexibility. Interfacial interactions between NiNPs and the PDMS matrix also significantly impact electrical behavior. Surface functionalization of nanoparticles can improve compatibility with PDMS, enhance dispersion, and promote efficient charge transfer across interfaces.Temperature dependence is another critical aspect of DC conductivity in NiNPs–PDMS composites. Elevated temperatures typically increase conductivity by enhancing electron mobility and hopping mechanisms. Nevertheless, at excessively high temperatures, polymer degradation or nanoparticle aggregation may occur, leading to a decline in electrical performance. Understanding these factors is essential for optimizing NiNPs–PDMS composites for practical applications.
In our this study, we prepared a polymer nanocomposite using Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as the polymer network and Ni nanoparticles as a dopant. The PDMS nanocomposites were loaded with different weight percentages (wt%) of NiNPs filler. The electrical properties of these nanocomposites over a wide temperature range were analyzed by us. Our findings indicate that the electrical conductivity of the nanocomposites strongly depends on weight- percentage of the Ni nanoparticles. Understanding these factors is crucial for tailoring the electrical properties of these composites for specific applications.
Keywords: DC conductivity, NiNPs-PDMS, composite materials, nickel nanoparticles, polydimethylsiloxane
Ashish Kumar, Pankaj Kumar Modi. Unification and DC Conductivity of PDMS/NiNPs Nanocomposite. Research & Reviews : Journal of Physics. 2026; 15(01):-.
Ashish Kumar, Pankaj Kumar Modi. Unification and DC Conductivity of PDMS/NiNPs Nanocomposite. Research & Reviews : Journal of Physics. 2026; 15(01):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/rrjophy/article=2026/view=236354
References
- Zhang, Y., Guo, W., & Liu, J. Enhanced dielectric properties of polydimethylsiloxane-based composites filled with nickel nanoparticles for energy storage applications. J Appl Polym Sci. 2020;137(1):47819.
- Chen, X., Li, Z., & Huang, X. Fabrication and characterization of a flexible capacitor based on nickel nanoparticles and polydimethylsiloxane for energy storage applications. Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology.2019: 19(12):8117-8122.
- Liu J, Guo W, Zhang Y. Enhanced dielectric properties of polydimethylsiloxane-based composites filled with nickel nanoparticles for energy storage applications. Journal of Electronic Materials. 2020;49(5):2904–2910.
- Zhang Y, Guo W. Fabrication and characterization of a flexible capacitor based on nickel nanoparticles and polydimethylsiloxane. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics. 2019;30(15):14242–14248.
- Li Y, Li X, Wang H. A flexible and stretchable supercapacitor based on nickel nanoparticles and polydimethylsiloxane. Journal of Power Sources. 2017;342:1–7.
- Zhang Y, Guo W, Liu J. Enhanced dielectric properties of polydimethylsiloxane-based composites filled with nickel nanoparticles. Journal of Applied Polymer Science. 2018;135(26):46412.
- Chen X, Li Z, Huang X. Fabrication and characterization of a flexible capacitor based on nickel nanoparticles and polydimethylsiloxane for energy storage applications. Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. 2020;20(5):3073–3078.
- Liu J, Guo W, Zhang Y. Enhanced dielectric properties of polydimethylsiloxane-based composites filled with nickel nanoparticles for energy storage applications. J Electron Mater. 2019;48(6):3650–3656.
- Wang L, Liang J, Xu C. Flexible supercapacitors based on nickel nanoparticles/polydimethylsiloxane composite electrodes with high capacitance and stability. Electrochim Acta. 2018;283:1192–1199.
- Li Y, Li X, Wang H. Fabrication and characterization of a flexible supercapacitor based on nickel nanoparticles and polydimethylsiloxane for energy storage applications. J Mater Sci Mater Electron. 2018;29(21):18568–18575.
- Ben Mansour R, Ouzzane M, Aidoun Z. Numerical evaluation of ejector-assisted mechanical compression systems for refrigeration applications. Int J Refrig. 2014.
- Lin CC, Chen CC, Weng CM, Chu SY, Hong CS, Tsai CC. Effects of lithium doping on microstructure, electrical properties, and chemical bonds of sol-gel derived NKN films. J Appl Phys. 2015.
- Campbell AJ. Bulk limited conduction in electroluminescent polymer devices. J Appl Phys. 1998.
- Das SN. Hydrogen sensor based on thin film nanocrystalline n-GaN/Pd Schottky diode. J Phys D Appl Phys. 2007 Dec 12.
- Khirade PP, Birajdar SD, Humbe AV, Jadhav KM. Structural, electrical and dielectrical property investigations of Fe-doped BaZrO₃ J Electron Mater. 2016.
- Toor A, So H, Pisano AP. Improved dielectric properties of polyvinylidene fluoride nanocomposite embedded with poly(vinylpyrrolidone)-coated gold nanoparticles. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2017.
- Larson C, Peele B, Li S, Robinson S, Totaro M, Beccai L, et al. Highly stretchable electroluminescent skin for optical signalling and tactile sensing. Science. 2016;351(6277):1071–1074.
- Zhou Y, Cao S, Wang J, Zhu H, Wang J, Yang S, et al. Bright stretchable electroluminescent devices based on silver nanowire electrodes and high-k thermoplastic elastomers. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2018;10(51):44760–44767.
- Altuntas H, Ozgit-Akgun C, Donmez I, Biyikli N. Current transport mechanisms in plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposited AlN thin films. J Appl Phys. 2015.
- Han ZJ. Electrical conductivity of poly(ethylene terephthalate) modified by titanium plasma. J Appl Polym Sci. 2008 May 3.

Research & Reviews : Journal of Physics
| Volume | 15 |
| 01 | |
| Received | 29/12/2025 |
| Accepted | 12/01/2026 |
| Published | 27/01/2026 |
| Publication Time | 29 Days |
Login
PlumX Metrics