Homeopathy 2018; 107(02): 130-136
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1626733
Original Research Article
The Faculty of Homeopathy

Effect of Homeopathic Dilutions of Cuprum Arsenicosum on the Electrical Properties of Poly(Vinylidene Fluoride-Co-Hexafluoropropylene)

Anandalal Gayen
1   Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Education, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
2   Department of Physics, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
,
Dheeraj Mondal
2   Department of Physics, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
,
Poonam Bandyopadhyay
1   Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Education, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
2   Department of Physics, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
,
Debbethi Bera
1   Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Education, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
,
Durga Sankar Bhar
1   Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Education, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
,
Sukhen Das
1   Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Education, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
2   Department of Physics, Jadavpur University, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
,
Raj Kumar Manchanda
3   Central Council for Research in Homeopathy, New Delhi, India
,
Anil Kumar Khurana
3   Central Council for Research in Homeopathy, New Delhi, India
,
Debadatta Nayak
3   Central Council for Research in Homeopathy, New Delhi, India
,
Biplab Kumar Paul
4   CSIR-Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute, Non-Oxide Ceramics and Composites Division (NOCCD), Kolkata, West Bengal, India
,
Papiya Nandy
1   Centre for Interdisciplinary Research and Education, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

26 September 2016

30 December 2017

Publication Date:
27 February 2018 (online)

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Abstract

Background We report the effects of nanoparticles in homeopathic preparations of copper salts on the electrical properties of polymer film. Previous work showed that the incorporation of metal-derived homeopathic medicines increases the dielectric constant and alternating current (AC) conductivity of an electroactive polymer film that is commonly used as a capacitor in the electronic industry.

We report here the effect of dilution of one homeopathic medicine, Cuprum arsenicosum (CuAs), at 200C potency on the electrical properties of the polymer film of poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene).

MethodsCuAs 200c was incorporated in the film by the solution casting method. The electrical characteristics were measured at different frequencies using an inductance, capacitance, and resistance meter. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was performed to detect phase change in the polymer film due to the incorporation of CuAs. Morphology and particle size were studied using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy.

Results At 10 kHz frequency, both dielectric constant and AC conductivity increased approximately 18 times for the polymer film when incorporated with 2 mL CuAs at 200C potency. FTIR indicated the increase in conducting phase, while FESEM and EDX confirmed the presence of spherical CuAs particles.

Conclusion The incorporation of CuAs in the electroactive polymer film enhances the conductivity and dielectric constant. We conclude that these changes arise from the change in phase of the polymer film, and because of the presence of two different metals that affects the interfacial polarization.