Influence of Co3O4 Nanoparticles on the Optical, and Electrical Properties of CMC/PAM Polymer: Combined FTIR/DFT Study

Abstract

The CMC/PAM-Co3O4 nanocomposites were prepared using the casting method. The interaction between Co3O4 and CMC/PAM was analysis and characterized using DFT calculation with FT-IR spectroscopy, UV–Vis analysis and AC conductivity. The interaction between CMC/PAM blend and Co3O4 nanoparticles was occurs and confirmed by DFT calculations due to the presence of OH group in CMC and NH2 group in PAM. The values of the optical band gap (Eg) were decreased as an increase of Co3O4 NPs reflects the effect of the nanoparticles in the modification of electronic structure and the response of Co3O4 NPs to the form of localized electronic states. The values of the optical energy gap were reduced after the addition of Co3O4 nanoparticles. Meanwhile, the electrical conductivity of CMC/PAM-Co3O4 was increased with an increase of Co3O4 NPs at room temperature. The AC conductivity and the dielectric properties were carried out of the nanocomposite films, an enhancement was observed in both values of the dielectric constant $$\left({\epsilon }^{\prime}\right)$$ and the dielectric loss ( $${{\epsilon }}^{{\prime \prime }})$$ after the addition of Co3O4 NPs.