Flexible Methyl Cellulose/Polyaniline/Silver Composite Films with Enhanced Linear and Nonlinear Optical Properties.

Ali Atta,Mostufa M Abdelhamied,Mohamed R Berber,Ahmed M Abdelreheem

doi:10.3390/polym13081225

Ali Atta, Mostufa M Abdelhamied + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13081225

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Abstract

In order to potentiate implementations in optical energy applications, flexible polymer composite films comprising methyl cellulose (MC), polyaniline (PANI) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were successfully fabricated through a cast preparation method. The composite structure of the fabricated film was confirmed by X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy, indicating a successful incorporation of AgNPs into the MC/PANI blend. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) images have indicated a homogenous loading and dispersion of AgNPs into the MC/PANI blend. The optical parameters such as band gap (Eg), absorption edge (Ed), number of carbon cluster (N) and Urbach energy (Eu) of pure MC polymer, MC/PANI blend and MC/PANI/Ag films were determined using the UV optical absorbance. The effects of AgNPs and PANI on MC polymer linear optical (LO) and nonlinear optical (NLO) parameters including reflection extinction coefficient, refractive index, dielectric constant, nonlinear refractive index, and nonlinear susceptibility are studied. The results showed a decrease in the band gap of MC/PANI/AgNPs compared to the pure MC film. Meanwhile, the estimated carbon cluster number enhanced with the incorporation of the AgNPs. The inclusion of AgNPs and PANI has enhanced the optical properties of the MC polymer, providing a new composite suitable for energy conversion systems, solar cells, biosensors, and nonlinear optical applications.

Highlights

Flexible composite materials have been receiving a great deal of attention in optical energy applications due to their remarkable electrical, thermal, mechanical, dielectric and optical properties versus the other traditional materials [1,2]
Among the various polymers used in optical energy applications, is the polyaniline (PANI) which is widely studied as a nonlinear optical (NLO) material because of its UV radiation resistance, ultrafast response, steady electrical conductivity, flexibility and easy relative processing [5]
The values of n2 have the same trend of the valued of χ(3), as it gradually increased with the increase in both the PANI and AgNPs content. These results clearly showed the importance of adding the conducting PANI and the AgNPs to methyl cellulose (MC) where the resultant films indicted an improvement in the nonlinear optical parameters, which is favored for the optoelectronic device applications [59]

Summary

Introduction

Flexible composite materials have been receiving a great deal of attention in optical energy applications due to their remarkable electrical, thermal, mechanical, dielectric and optical properties versus the other traditional materials [1,2]. Polymer composites are of high interest in different energy applications because of their pliable characteristics and their easy to use [3]. Among the various polymers used in optical energy applications, is the polyaniline (PANI) which is widely studied as a nonlinear optical (NLO) material because of its UV radiation resistance, ultrafast response, steady electrical conductivity, flexibility and easy relative processing [5]. PANI has limited mechanical properties, fusibility, and solubility [6] It has to be modified with other materials to improve these limitations and to enhance its uses, especially in energy applications. Methyl cellulose (MC) polymer is a water soluble polymer with a semi-crystalline structure

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