UV-Irradiation Effects on the Optical Properties of Polyvinyl Alcohol/Carboxymethyl Cellulose/Polyvinyl Pyrrolidone/Tin Chromium Disulphide Nanocomposite Films for their Application in Optoelectronic Devices

Abstract

A nanocomposite (NC) film containing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) polymers and tin chromium disulfide (Sn0.75Cr0.25S2) nanoparticles (NPs) was prepared using thermolysis and casting techniques. The prepared NPs were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The induced alterations in the optical and color properties of the prepared PVA/CMC/PVP/Sn0.75Cr0.25S2 NC film due to UV irradiation, within fluences ranging from 10 to 80 Joule/cm2 (J/cm2), were characterized via UV spectroscopy and the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) color changes techniques. As the UV fluence increased up to 80 J/cm2, the maximum fluence used, both the direct and indirect bandgaps decreased. We attribute this to the dominance of formed chain crosslinks that destroyed the ordered structure and, thus, increased the amorphous regions. The effect of UV irradiation on the absorbance, refractive index, real and imaginary dielectric parameters and optical conductivity of the NC samples were studied. Furthermore, the optical color changes between the pristine and the irradiated films were evaluated. The pristine NC film was uncolored. It showed significant color changes when irradiated with the UV radiation at increasing fluences up to 80 J/cm2. The changes in the optical properties of PVA/CMC/PVP/Sn0.75Cr0.25S2 NC film suggested its usage as a promising candidate for future optoelectronics characterization techniques.