Influence of NaBr on structural studies of PVA/TiO2 polymer composites

Abstract

PVA-TiO2-NaBr (PVATN) polymer composites were synthesized using solution casting technique. XRD, optical absorption, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopy techniques were being used to evaluate the impact of TiO2/NaBr on PVATN polymer samples. XRD spectra have been used to examine the modification of semi-crystalline phase of PVATN polymers with regard to TiO2/NaBr weight % and TiO2 anatase phase. With the composition, the optical absorption spectra of PVATN polymer samples indicated a blue shift in the absorption edges. At the cost of TiO2, NaBr was employed to increase the indirect optical band gap measurements. Urbach energy and refractive index values were assessed and discussed in depth using optical data. The FTIR spectra of several functional groups of PVA/TiO2 were examined. The Raman spectra revealed the existence of C-C stretch, C-O stretch, O-H bend, and C-H bend vibrations, as well as O-Ti-O bend vibrations.