A green and easy technique was used to synthesize silver and silica (Ag@SiO
2
) core–shell nanoparticles (NPs) in the matrix blend polymers matrix. Core–shell nanoparticles were loaded into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene oxide (UHMW-PEO) blended polymer to fabricate new nanocomposite films (NCFs) using the developed solution-sonication-casting technique. The spectroscopic properties of the resultant films were investigated using x-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR), visible light microscope (OLM), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), FESEM-energy dispersive spectroscope (FESM-EDX), UV/visible spectrometer, and LCR meter to investigate the structural, morphological, optical, and electrical characteristics. XRD revealed the presence of the semi-crystalline nature of PVA-UHMWPEO/ Ag@SiO
2
NCFs. The degree of crystallinity increased after embedding. The NPs were well distributed within the NCFs according to OLM and SEM, and FESM-EDX confirmed the presence of C, O, Si, and Ag elements. FTIR spectrum observed strong bonding after the loading of NPs, and other peaks were hidden. The UV/visible spectrums suggested an absorption at ~ 210 nm. Based on the Tauc plot model, the optical bandgap (Eg) values decreased from 5.52 eV to 4.57 eV. The electrical conductivity values were significantly increased with the increasing frequency and (Ag@SiO
2
) core–shell nanoparticles (NPs) loading ratio. The PVA-UHMWPEO/Ag@SiO
2
NCFs explained enhanced lattice strain. The obtained NCFs are suitable for use in various optoelectronic and nanodevice applications.
In the current research, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were mixed with a polymer blend to enhance their optical and electrical properties and antibacterial efficiency. A novel approach via introducing AgNPs into the polymer blend could improve the physical and antibacterial characteristics of the nanocomposites (NCs). In the loading process, two different amounts of AgNPs were respectively encapsulated with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyacrylamide (PAAm) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) polymeric blend via casting method. The prepared films were characterized by X-ray, optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transformation infrared (FTIR) and UV/Visible. The OM and SEM images showed that the AgNPs were well diffused inside the polymer blend with some weak aggregations. The optical properties were enhanced after doping. The NCs films absorbed UV-ray at (λ=220 nm). The indirect energy gap decreased after loading from 3.80 to 3.10 eV but the direct energy gap decreased from 4.25 to 3.75 eV. The AC electrical properties were studied in the frequency range between 100 Hz to 5 MHz. The dielectric constant and loss of NC films were decreased with the increase of AgNPs, while the electrical conductivity increased. The inhibition zone diameters of Escherichia coli bacteria increased with the increasing of AgNPs contents.
In this work, antimony trioxide nanoparticles (Sb2O3NPs)-doped polyvinyl alcohol (PVA[Formula: see text]) and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP[Formula: see text]) (i.e., PVAP@[Formula: see text]Sb2O3NPs, [Formula: see text], and 0.04) composite films were prepared using the casting method. Light optical microscopy (LOM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier infrared spectrums (FTIR) were used to investigate PVAP@[Formula: see text]Sb2O3NPs films. Sb2O3NPs were well dispersed within the matrix. FTIR showed a strong interaction between the matrix material and NPs. The density increased by up to 75% after adding 0.04[Formula: see text]wt.% of Sb2O3NPs. The mechanical ultrasound properties (MUS) were measured with different ultrasound frequencies in the ranges of (25, 30, 35, 40 and 45[Formula: see text]kHz). MUS coefficients such as ultrasonic velocity, absorption coefficient, and bulk modules were significantly improved after the impact of NPs by up to 20%, 115% and 230%, respectively. The reduction of electrical properties such as dielectric and loss constant was associated with an increase in frequency. The dielectric constant of PVAP@Sb2O3NPs was increased by about 80% after loading. AC electrical conductivity revealed an improvement with an increase in frequency and loading ratio. The results demonstrate a promising material for electromechanical, energy harvesting, and pressure sensor applications.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.