Low cost novel PEO based nano-composite for semiconductor and He–Ne lasers beam attenuation: Structural and optical properties

Abstract

This paper reports the synthesis of low cost polyethylene oxide (PEO) based polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) for laser beam attenuation. The experimental investigations revealed the novel optical properties and bandgap reduction of PEO upon insertion of the Pb3O4 nanofiller. The changes in structural and optical properties of the prepared PNCs were explored using the X-ray diffraction (XRD) method and the ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis). A broad shift of absorption is evidenced upon the addition of Pb3O4 nanofiller. The optical parameter, including absorption coefficient (α), linear refractive index (n), and dielectric loss (εi), were calculated. The optical band gap reduced significantly from 5.4 eV (neat PEO) to 1.8 eV for PEO doped with 9% Pb3O4. The direct and indirect electronic transitions in pure PEO and PEO: Pb3O4 PNCs were determined based on Tauc's model. The type of electron transition is specified with the assistance of εi spectra. The nonlinear optical parameter, including first-order susceptibility (χ1), third-order susceptibility (χ³), and nonlinear refractive index (n2), were studied. In addition, Laser beam attenuation characteristics for prepared PNCs samples were investigated using both semiconductor laser and He–Ne laser. The PEO: Pb3O4 PNCs significantly attenuated the laser power for both laser systems.