Enhanced Dielectric Performance of Polystyrene Films via Wurtzite ZnO Nanoparticle Incorporation: Structural and Ftir Insights

Polystyrene (PS)/ZnO nanocomposite films containing 1, 5, and 10 wt % ZnO were successfully prepared via solution casting followed by hot pressing. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the incorporation of ZnO nanoparticles with wurtzite crystal structure into the PS matrix. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) demonstrated a homogeneous dispersion of ZnO nanoparticles with sizes ranging from 10–30 nm within the polymer. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy showed the appearance of a distinct Zn–O stretching band at 418 cm–1, alongside characteristic PS vibrations, indicating successful nanoparticle integration without significant alteration of the polymer backbone. Dielectric measurements revealed that the dielectric constant (ε) increased with ZnO content, reaching 4.87 at 25 Hz for PS/10 wt % ZnO, and exhibited strong frequency and temperature dependence, with a maximum at ~400 K attributed to enhanced segmental mobility. These results highlight the effective structural and functional enhancement of PS through ZnO incorporation, demonstrating potential for dielectric and optoelectronic applications.