Effect of Nano Quaternary Ni1-xZnxFe2-2xMn2xO4 on the Structural, Optical and Dielectric Characteristics of Poly(Methyl Methacrylate)/Polyethylene Oxide Blends

Abstract

Poly(methyl methacrylate)/polyethylene oxide (PMMA/PEO)/Ni1-xZnxFe2-2xMn2xO4 blends of various composition were formed using coprecipitation and casting techniques. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was performed on the blends and fillers. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy technique revealed that the fillers had a crystallite size of 15–25 nm. The impact of Ni1-xZnxFe2-2xMn2xO4 loading on the light absorbance, transmission, reflectance, refractive index and extinction coefficient and the dielectric constant, energy loss functions, and optical conductivity of PMMA/PEO blend was examined. The absorbance of the PMMA/PEO blend increased irregularly as it was loaded with the nanocomposite samples, and it peaked at x = 0.25. The transmittance reduced to a minimum value (28–58%) as the blend was doped with x=0.25. The PMMA/PEO blended polymer’s direct and indirect band gaps were 5.02 and 4.74 eV, respectively. As the blend was loaded with NiFe2O4 alone, they reached their minimum values (direct/indirect: 4.94/4.66 eV). Depending on the amounts of Zn and Mn ions in the NiFe2O4 doped PMMA/PEO blends, the various blends displayed a blue-violet color on their chromaticity diagram. The electrical dielectric constant, electric modulus, ac conductivity and energy density of the different blends depended on the amount of Zn and Mn ions added in the NiFe2O4 matrix.