Impact of tributyl phosphate on epoxy polymer-based composites: Investigation of their composites' structural, optical, and dielectric properties for optoelectronic applications

This research investigates the effect of incorporating Tributyl Phosphate (TBP) as a filler in epoxy resin on its dielectric and optical properties. The addition of TBP appears to improve the structural uniformity of the epoxy resin, as evidenced by a narrower amorphous peak in the XRD pattern. This suggests a more evenly dispersed filler within the polymer matrix. The transmittance spectra indicate a shift in the absorption edge, suggesting that the TBP-filled epoxy composites effectively block shorter wavelengths while allowing longer wavelengths to pass through. The study compares the optical band gap with that determined from the optical dielectric loss, providing valuable insights into the electronic structure of the material. TBP inclusion may create channels or pathways within the epoxy matrix, facilitating ion transport and potentially improving conductivity. The composites are expected to exhibit capacitive behavior, likely due to the presence of polar molecules and interfacial effects. This behavior is associated with the relaxation of the material's polarization at lower frequencies. This research has the potential to significantly improve the properties and processing of epoxy-based composite materials. The findings have significant implications for the development of advanced composite materials with tailored properties for a wide range of applications.