Structural, thermal, and linear optical properties of SiO₂ nanoparticles dispersed in polyvinyl alcohol nanocomposite films

Abstract

In the present work, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films were prepared for polymer optoelectronic applications, in which the SiO2 nanoparticles were incorporated through a sonication technique followed by a solution casting method. The structure of PVA/SiO2 films was evaluated using the experimental results attained by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) examinations. A thermal stability study of the nanocomposite films was performed. UV‐vis spectra were used to investigate the optical properties of PVA/SiO2 nanocomposite films. The XRD results confirmed the semicrystalline nature of the PVA. The SEM results ascertained the homogeneity of the SiO2 nanoparticles in the polymer matrix. From the study, a simultaneous increase of SiO2 nanoparticle content decreased the direct optical band gap and Urbach energy; however, the refractive index and extinction coefficient were increased. The acquired nanocomposite films could be utilized in polymer optoelectronic applications.

Optical Study on PVA/PEG Blend Doped with Nano-Silica

“…19 In addition, the optical properties of SiO 2 nanoparticles make it the preferred choice as a modifier of different polymeric matrices to be utilized in optoelectronic applications. 20,21 A considerable modification in the optical properties was reported upon loading nano-SiO 2 in the polymeric matrix. Karthikeyan et al synthesized SiO 2 nanoparticles using pyrolysis technique to prepare PVA/SiO 2 composites.…”

Low‐temperature silane coupling agent modified biomimetic micro/nanoscale roughness hierarchical structure superhydrophobic polyethylene terephthalate filter media

“…The diffraction peak of TMK@PET‐1 was weaker than that of the other samples, which may be due to the lower quality of TEOS, resulting in a smaller number of SiO 2 nanoparticles loaded on the surface of the PET fiber. According to Zhang and Soliman et al, 35–37 the amorphous SiO 2 was equivalent to the amorphous peak of Bragg angle nearly 2 θ = 23°, which coincided with the PET diffraction peak height. Hence, the peak value of the modified TMK@PET filter material had a more prominent enhancement.…”

The nature of the exceptional impact of ultra‐low silica contents on the properties of cyanate ester resin‐based nano‐ and subnanocomposites

“…For example, just good distribution of SiO 2 nanoparticles provided the possibility of using PVA-SiO 2 nanocomposites in optoelectronic applications. 22 At large silica contents in the polymer nanocomposite films, three types of mechanical behavior were observed: elastic (0-10 wt%), plastic (30 wt %), and ceramic-like (50 wt% SiO 2 ) materials could be prepared. 23 In this work we consider the case for 0-10% silica content.…”