Reducing the Crystallite Size of Spherulites in PEO-Based Polymer Nanocomposites Mediated by Carbon Nanodots and Ag Nanoparticles

Abstract

The PEO-based polymer nanocomposites were prepared by solution cast method. Green approaches were used for synthesis of carbon nanodots (CNDs) and silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs). It was found that the crystallite size of spherulites of PEO was greatly scarified upon incorporation of CNDs and Ag NPs. In the present work, in opposition to other studies, broadening of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peak of metallic Ag NPs in PEO-based polymer composites was observed rather than peak tuning. Various techniques, such as powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), SEM, UV–Vis spectroscopy, and photoluminescence (PL), were used to characterize the structural, morphological, and optical properties of the samples. Increase of amorphous phase for the PEO doped with CND particles was shown from the results of XRD analyses. Upon the addition of suspended Ag NPs to the PEO:CNDs composites, significant change of XRD peak position was seen. A field-emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) was used to investigate the surface morphology of the samples. In the SEM, a significant change in the crystalline structure was seen. The size of PEO spherulites in the PEO nanocomposite samples became smaller and the percentage of amorphous portion became larger, owing to the distribution of CNDs and Ag NPs. The UV–Vis absorption spectra of the PEO-based polymer were found to improve and shift to higher wavelengths upon incorporation of CNDs and Ag NPs into the PEO matrix. The SPR peak broadening in the UV–Vis spectra was observed in the PEO:CNDs composites due to the Ag NPs. The absorption edge value of PEO was found to shift toward lower photon energy as the CNDs and Ag NPs are introduced. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra were also observed for the PEO:CNDs and PEO:CNDs:Ag samples and found to be more intense in the PEO:CNDs system than in the PEO:CNDs:Ag system. Lastly, the optical band gap of the samples was further studied in detail using of Tauc’s model and optical dielectric loss parameter. The types of electron transition were specified.

A Comprehensive Review on Optical Properties of Polymer Electrolytes and Composites

“…Hence, the dispersal nanosized dopants were determined to be efficient in the composite SPE systems, in particular on the basis of these enhancements in the mechanical, physical, electrochemical and optical characteristics. This new category of materials was coined to as NC polymer electrolytes (NCPEs) [ 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 ]. The diagram illustration of polymer, nano/micrometer is presented in Figure 3 .…”

“…Therefore, by dividing Equation (5) by I o , following relation can be obtained [ 118 ]: where T , R and A stand for the transmissivity ( I T / I o ), reflectivity ( I R / I o ) and absorptivity ( I A / I o ), correspondingly, or the fractions of incident light are transmitted, reflected and absorbed. In other words, the whole incident light that undergoes reflection, absorption or transmission, must equal unity [ 49 , 118 ]. …”

Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles by Low-Energy Wet Bead Milling of Metal Spheres

“…As an example, this aspect finds important applications in heat transfer technology [17], where nanofluids as heat carriers need to combine a low toxicity with an efficient stabilization against agglomeration for a wide range of temperature and fluid-dynamics conditions [18]. Nowadays, many reagents derived from plant extracts, pigments, yeast, and enzymes have been used as reductants for the synthesis of zerovalent NPs [19], with more positive results in cases of precursors containing noble metals like gold, platinum, palladium, silver [20], and other elements of weakly electropositive properties [21]. Top-down chemical methods, though representing a cost-effective alternative strategy for the production of inorganic nanoparticles, are still confined to a narrow field, probably owing to a lack of control on particle diameters, whose broad distribution adversely affects the quality of the final product.…”

Steps Toward the Band Gap Identification in Polystyrene Based Solid Polymer Nanocomposites Integrated with Tin Titanate Nanoparticles

“…In other words, these are fractions of reflected, absorbed, and transmitted incident light. Based on these explanations, the entire light incident is subjected to reflection, absorption, or transmission, and their summation must be equivalent to 1 [ 8 ]. The n of a medium is the measure of the attenuation of the speed of light inside the medium.…”

“…Recently, nanosize particle incorporation to polymers is identified to be essential for application in optoelectronic and photonic devices. Polymers are examined to be appropriate candidate hosts for inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) [ 8 ]. Over the past two decades, the synthesis and examination of inorganic and organic combine materials have escalated intensively and extensively.…”