Characteristics of PEO Incorporated with CaTiO3 Nanoparticles: Structural and Optical Properties.

Shujahadeen B Aziz,Wrya O Kareem,Mohamad A Brza,Elham M A Dannoun,Zeinhom M El-Bahy,Khaled H Mahmoud,Muaffaq M Nofal,Sarkawt A Hussein,Ahang M Hussein

doi:10.3390/polym13203484

Abstract

In this research, direct band gap polymer composites with amorphous phase, which are imperative for optoelectronic devices applications were synthesized. The solution cast technique was used to produce polyethylene oxide (PEO)/calcium titanate (CaTiO3) nanocomposite (NC) films. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirms the growth of amorphous nature within PEO with CaTiO3 addition. The optical band gaps of pure PEO and PEO/CaTiO3 NC films were calculated using analysis of ultraviolet–visible (UV-Vis) spectra. The change in absorption edge toward lower photon energy is evidence of polymer modification. The dispersion behavior of the refractive index of PEO was manipulated to a higher wavelength upon doping with CaTiO3. Upon adding CaTiO3 to the pure PEO polymer, the dielectric constant and refractive index were considerably modified. The band gap shifts from 4.90 eV to 4.19 eV for the PEO incorporated with an optimum portion of 8 wt. % of CaTiO3. The types of the electronic transition in composite samples were specified, based on the Taucs model and the optical dielectric loss. The alteration of UV/Vis absorption spectra of the NC film was considered a suitable candidate to be applied in nanotechnology-based devices. The spherulites ascribed to the crystalline phase were distinguished through the optical microscopy (OM) study.

Highlights

De phous nature in parent Polyethylene oxide (PEO) with CaTiO3 was evidenced via X-ray diffraction (XRD)
The construction of direct band gap polymer composites with improved amorphous phase showed the efficiency and eligibility of the polymer for application in optoelectronic devices
The optical properties of the PEO-based composites had a small optical energy band gap close. Both the refractive index and dielectric constant were significantly modified when an optimum quantity of CaTiO3 was added into the PEO polymer

Summary

Introduction

Investigation of remarkable mechanical, electrical, and optical properties of polymer composites in specific applications, such as flexible electronics or photonics, is a highly active area of research [1]. Optical technologies, for example, light-emitting and solar cell devices, strongly rely on the interaction between advanced materials and light. It is documented that polymer materials can be utilized in light-emitting diodes (LEDs), optical devices, and sensors. This is due to their attractive optical properties

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