Studies on the diversified properties of stannic oxide filled PVA nanocomposite (PVA-xSnO2) films

Abstract

Polymer nanocomposites are the subject of increased interest owing to their unique features and polymers act as good hosts for numerous nanofillers. For the present study, SnO2 powder was synthesized by one-pot Starch Assisted Combustion and was filled in PVA matrix with various wt% to fabricate PVA-xSnO2 nanocomposite films by solution casting technique. XRD of the composite films demonstrated that the crystalline nature grows with the wt% of SnO2 loading and also that the SnO2 crystallite size ranges between 45 & 55 nm. FTIR confirms the interaction between PVA–OH groups with Sn-O through hydrogen bonding (Sn-O, 650 cm−1). Also, HSAB principle was used to explain the strong PVA-SnO2 interaction. SEM revealed uniform distribution of SnO2 throughout the films with grain or broken glass piece morphology. With increasing SnO2 loading, the band gap energy (Eg) of the films decreased, ionic conductivity increased and the real part of the dielectric permittivity (ε′) of the films decreased. These properties are expected to have enormous scope in fabricating foldable and lightweight semiconductor applications. The biodegradable properties of PVA-xSnO2 films have been evaluated, which may address environmental issues. Water absorption and solubility of the composite films were decreased with SnO2 loading. Enhancement in thermal, optical, mechanical, ionic conductivity, dielectric and biodegradable properties of the films is the inherent results of incorporating SnO2 in PVA matrix with potential applications in energy storage devices, flexible electronic devices and thin/transparent optoelectronics.