Synthesis of Optically Tunable and Thermally Stable PMMA-PVA/CuO NPs Hybrid Nanocomposite Thin Films.

Ahmad M Alsaad,Issam A Qattan,Qais M Al-Bataineh,Shatha A Al Fawares,Abdul-Raouf El-Ali,Ahmad A Ahmad

doi:10.3390/polym13111715

Ahmad M Alsaad, Issam A Qattan + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13111715

Copy DOI

Abstract

We report the synthesis and comprehensive characterization of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA)/polyvinylalcohol (PVA) polymeric blend doped with different concentrations of Copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles (NPs). The PMMA–PVA/CuO nanocomposite hybrid thin films containing wt.% = 0%, 2%, 4%, 8%, and 16% of CuO NPs are deposited on glass substrates via dip-coating technique. Key optical parameters are measured, analyzed, and interpreted. Tauc, Urbach, Spitzer–Fan, and Drude models are employed to calculate the optical bandgap energy (Eg) and the optoelectronic parameters of PMMA–PVA/CuO nanocomposites. The refractive index and Eg of undoped PMMA–PVA are found to be (1.5–1.85) and 4.101 eV, respectively. Incorporation of specific concentrations of CuO NPs into PMMA–PVA blend leads to a considerable decrease in Eg and to an increase of the refractive index. Moreover, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) transmittance spectra are measured and analyzed for undoped and doped polymeric thin films to pinpoint the major vibrational modes in the spectral range (500 and 4000 cm−1) as well as to elucidate the nature of chemical network bonding. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) is conducted under appropriate conditions to ensure the thermal stability of thin films. Doped polymeric thin films are found to be thermally stable below 105 °C. Therefore, controlled tuning of optoelectronic and thermal properties of doped polymeric thin films by introducing an appropriate concentration of inorganic fillers leads to a smart design of scaled multifunctional devices.

Highlights

The class of smart, functional materials based on organic–inorganic hybrid nanocomposites exhibit outstanding physical, chemical, thermal, and optical properties
By using Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) (NETZSCH Premier Technologies, Exton, PA, USA), we investigated the thermal stability
PMMA–PVA/CuO nanocomposite thin films with different CuO NPs content in the range of 0% to 16% are synthesized on glass substrates using the dip-coating technique

Summary

Introduction

The class of smart, functional materials based on organic–inorganic hybrid nanocomposites exhibit outstanding physical, chemical, thermal, and optical properties. It plays a major role in the fabrication of modern scaled devices. Utilizing a high refractive index material in optical applications frequently requires higher optical transparencies [1,2,3,4]. Polymers with high refractive index have fascinated several research groups owing to their potential applications in cutting-edge optoelectronic devices such as organic lightemitting diode devices [5], high-performance substrates for advanced display devices [6], antireflective coatings for advanced optical applications [7], and microlens components for charge-coupled devices or complementary metal oxide semiconductor [8]. Vinylalcohol (PVA) has been applied in the industrial, commercial, medical, and food sectors

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion