Fabrication, surface characterization and optical behavior of flexible PVA/Nd2O3 polymer nanocomposites materials for optoelectronics applications

Abstract

The nanocomposite PVA/Nd2O3 with novel properties, that composed of Neodymium (III) oxide (Nd2O3) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), was synthesized by the casting preparation method for applied as flexible films for optoelectronic. The techniques of the FTIR, XRD, SEM and EDX showed that the PVA/Nd2O3 were successfully synthesized. The successful inclusion of Nd2O3 into PVA is indicated by a reduction in PVA/Nd2O3 peak intensities as observed by the FTIR and XRD. Additionally, the UV/Vis technique was used to record the optical behavior at wavelengths between 200 and 1100 nm. The measurements of carbon clusters, band gap, absorption edge, and band tail were determined. The band gap decreases from 5.01 eV to 4.60 eV and the band tail changes from 1.8 eV to 2.85 eV when the Nd2O3 is raised from 5 % to 20 %. In addition, the absorption edge reduced from 5.06 eV for PVA to 4.92, 4.81, 4.72, and 4.49 eV, accordingly, when 5 %, 10 %, 15 %, and 20 % of Nd2O3 are introduced in the composite. The result showed the composites made with PVA and Nd2O3 have excellent optical characteristics, especially in the UV–visible spectrum, where they are highly reflective and absorbent. The study emphasizes the fabricated composites enhanced optical transparency and absorption properties, which make it a good materials for uses in photonic devices, sensors, and optical instruments.