Study the Optical and Morphological Properties of (PMMA/PS/Al2O3) Nanocomposites Before and After Exposed to Argon Plasma

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the alterations in the structural and optical properties of Poly-methyl-methacrylate (PMMA) and Polystyrene (PS) through the utilization of different weight percentages of Aluminum oxide (Al2O3) nanoparticles (2%, 4%, 6%, and 8%) by weight. The optical microscope images indicate that the distribution of nanoparticles in the blend was uniform, resulting in a continuous network within the polymer matrix. The field emission scanning electron microscope revealed that there was a connection between the interface that connects the polymer matrix and the additive. The optical properties before and after the exposure to Ar plasma exhibited that the absorbance, absorption coefficient, refractive index, extinction coefficient, dielectric constant (real, imaginary) and optical conductivity of (PMMA/PS/Al2O3) nanocomposites increased with the increasing of the concentrations of the Al2O3. The transmittance and the energy gap for indirect transition (allowed, forbidden) decreased with the increasing concentrations of Al2O3 nanoparticles. The optical properties after irradiation are seen to have high values compared with those before the irradiation which is attributed to the increased charge carriers and the occurrence of some bonds breaking. Finally, the results indicated that the (PMMA/PS/ Al2O3) nanostructures can be considered as promising materials for optoelectronics nanodevices.