Optical, structural and thermal properties of hybrid PVA/CaAl2ZrO6 nanocomposite films

Abstract

This report focuses on fabrication, characterization, and fundamental optical, structural and thermal properties of PVA/ calcium aluminum doped zirconate (CaAl₂ZrO₆) nanocomposites (NCs) films. The nanocomposite films of polyvinylalcohol (PVA) with different amounts viz., 2, 4, 6 and 8 wt% of calcium aluminum zirconate (CaAl₂ZrO₆) have been fabricated using solvent casting technique. The Nanocomposite films structural and morphology were investigated by X-ray diffraction, FTIR and scanning electron microscopy, The optical properties were studied using  UV-vis spectroscopy. Thermal studies were evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). An optical study reveals an obvious change in the electronic band structure leading to a significant reduction in optical band gaps. The measured refractive index (RI) depends on the volume fraction of CaAl₂ZrO₆ nanofiller and the result indicates that a substantial increase of RI values from 1.22 to 2.22 at wave length 300 nm. The dielectric studies, optical conductivity measurements and Urbach energy analysis also supports the dopant dependent optical property, tuning of PVA/ CaAl₂ZrO₆ nanocomposite films to enable effective material property engineering to suit specified application requirements.