Structural Configuration and Thermal Analyses of Composite Films of Poly (methyl methacrylate)/Lead Oxide Nanoparticles

Abstract

In the present work, solution-cast method was used to prepare thin films of poly(methyl methacrylate)/lead oxide nanoparticles composites [PMMA/PbO(NPs)] due to their importance in different applications. X-ray diffraction analyses, scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermal properties were employed to characterize the structure properties of such composite. The XRD patterns suggested that the miscibility between the amorphous components of PMMA and PbO nanoparticles was possible. The SEM images show the distributions and dispersions of PbO nanoparticles on the surface of PMMA and the composite films. From the FTIR results, the performance properties of PMMA depend on the concentration of PbO nanoparticles. In addition, thermal results showed variations in the melting temperature (T m), shape and area of thermal peaks which were attributed to the different degrees of crystallinity and the existence of interactions between PMMA and PbO nanoparticles molecules.