Effect of morphology control on optical properties of PMMA/boehmite nano-hybrid prepared through facile one-pot process

Abstract

The morphology of PMMA/boehmite hybrid nanoparticles was controlled through the facile aqueous one-pot process starting directly from primary precursors. The effect of morphology control on optical properties of PMMA/boehmite nanocomposites was examined. Boehmite content varied from 0 to 5% and some physical properties such as density, band gap, visible transparency (400–800 nm) and UV absorption were studied. Transparent PMMA/boehmite hybrid nanoparticles (400–800 nm) with controlled morphologies were prepared. It was shown that the position of the absorption band in UV–Vis spectra of PMMA/boehmite nanocomposite depends on morphology. Morphology control leads to 13.7% increase of band gap without changing the composition. The band gap also increased with increasing boehmite in both morphologies. The results suggest these polymeric nanocomposites have good potential for application in the field of UV filters due to their high absorption in the range of 400–200 nm and high transparency in the visible region.