Exploring the linear/nonlinear optical and electrical characteristics of polymeric blend using semiconducting nanostructures for flexible smart optoelectronics

Abstract

The current study aims to enrich the linear/nonlinear optical and electrical properties of PVA/PVP polymeric blend by Cu/MnS (CMS) nanostructures’ incorporation. Blank PVA/PVP polymeric blend and Cu/MnS (CMS) polymeric nanocomposites (PNCs) were fabricated by the solution casting technique. The morphological and structural investigations were evaluated using SEM and FT-IR spectroscopy, respectively. The linear/nonlinear optical parameters were explored based on the UV–visible–NIR measurements. Besides, a pronounced enrichment in the refractive index, dielectric constants and optical conductivity of the PVA/PVP blend is achieved. Furthermore, the nonlinear optical (NLO) parameters of the PVA/PVP blend are also reinforced via CMS loading. The electrical properties as a function of temperature were measured using a Keithley sourcemeter and a four-probe stage. The DC-electrical analysis reveals that the DC-electrical conductivity of the PVA/PVP blend is enhanced more than two orders of magnitude due to CMS doping. The obtained findings in this study approved the validity of CMS PNCs in various flexible smart optoelectronics.