Tunable electrophysical properties of composites nano-CdS/polyvinyl alcohol

Abstract

Electrical d.c. conductivity of nano-CdS/polyvinyl alcohol composites with different nanoparticle concentrations and its temperature dependence were studied. The composites demonstrate increasing resistivity with CdS nanoparticles content. The currentevoltage characteristics of composites exhibit non-ohmic superlinear behavior that is interpreted in terms of space-charges-limited currents. Temperature dependence of resistivity is characterized by high temperature coefficient of resistivity which is favorable for applications in flexible, easy-to-shape thermistors. The tunability of the thermal sensitivity of CdS/polyvinyl alcohol composites was analyzed.