γ-irradiation hardness investigations of (PANI)1?x(Bi2Te3)x composites for thermistor applications

The (PANI)_1?x(Bi₂Te₃)_x composites were successfully synthesized. These composites have a simple physical combination of intrinsic conducting polymer and nanocrystal topological insulator materials which are promising new materials for unusual applications. The influence of γ-irradiation (100 kGy doses) on the performance of the (PANI)_1?x(Bi₂Te₃)_x composites was described by atypical techniques to assess the radiation hardness of the samples. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy measurements show the semi-crystalline phases, the other structural parameters, and the phonon modes. The compositional analysis and the morphological properties were investigated by energy-dispersive X-ray, while transmission electron microscopy imaging confirmed the morphology of the dopants of Bi₂Te₃ nanoparticles into the polyaniline (PANI) matrix, which shows the accumulation of the particles. Thermogravimetric analysis figured out the degradation behavior of the compositions. The representative electron spin resonance (ESR) signal exhibits a narrow single-line ESR spectrum for PANI/Bi₂Te₃ nanoparticle concentrations. (PANI)_1?x(Bi₂Te₃)_x illustrates unexpected ferromagnetic behavior that confirms the magnetic performance of the samples without introducing any magnetic dopants. The obtained materials showed promising performance for using such hybrid materials as a positive temperature coefficient thermistor.