Morphology and optical absorption studies of RGO reinforced PVB nanocomposite films

Abstract

The solution casting technique was used to synthesize pure PVB and RGO nanofiller reinforced nanocomposite films at room temperature. The effect of RGO nanofiller on the morphology and optical properties of PVB was investigated using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and UV–vis. spectroscopy. The X-ray diffractograms and SEM micrographs show that the dispersion of RGO nanosheets in the PVB matrix leads to a change in amorphousness and surface morphology. The optical characterizations were performed in the 190–1100 nm wavelength range. When 1.0 wt% RGO nanosheets were dispersed throughout the PVB polymer matrix, the direct band gap decreased from 4.89 eV to 3.36 eV,and the indirect band gap decreased from 4.57 eV to 2.32 eV, and the Urbach energy increased from 0.73 eV to 0.87 eV. The optical band gap energies decrease as the weight per cent of RGO increases. The dispersion of RGO nanosheets in PVB polymer resulted in significant changes in morphological and optical properties. This is because of cross-links formedbetween the RGO nanosheets and polymer chains.