Organic–inorganic nanocomposites are gaining importance in the recent times as polymer electrolyte
membranes. In the present work, composites were prepared by combining nano sized Co3O4 and
poly(vinyledene fluoride) (PVDF), using spin coating technique. The surface of the PVDF/Co3O4 system
characterized through field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) revealed a porous structure
of the films. The nanoparticles tend to aggregate on the surface and inside the pores, leading to
a decrease in the porosity with an increase in Co3O4 content. Co3O4 nanoparticles prohibit crystallization
of the polymer. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies revealed a decrease in crystallinity
of PVDF/Co3O4 system with an increase in the oxide content. Magnetic property studies of the composite
films revealed that with an increase in Co3O4 content, the saturation magnetization values of the
nanocomposites increased linearly, showing successful incorporation of the nanoparticles in the polymer
matrix. Further, ionic conductivity of the composite films was evaluated from electrochemical impedance
spectroscopy. Addition of Co3O4 nanoparticles enhanced the conductivity of PVDF/Co3O4 system.