Preparation and Optical Properties of PVDF-CaFe2O4 Polymer Nanocomposite Films

Alhassan, Sultan; Alshammari, Majed; Alshammari, Khulaif; Alotaibi, Turki; Alshammari, Alhulw H.; Fawaz, Yasir; Taha, Taha Abdel Mohaymen; Henini, Mohamed

Abstract

In this work, a synthesis technique for highly homogeneous PVDF-CaFe2O4 polymer films direct from solution was developed. The structural characterizations were conducted using XRD, FTIR, and ESEM experimental techniques. The XRD characteristic peaks of CaFe2O4 nanoparticles revealed a polycrystalline structure. The average crystallite size for CaFe2O4 was calculated to be 17.0 nm. ESEM micrographs of PVDF nanocomposites containing 0.0, 0.25, 0.75, and 1.0 wt% of CaFe2O4 showed smooth surface topography. The direct Edir and indirect Eind band gap energies for the PVDF-CaFe2O4 nanocomposites were decreased with the additions of 0.0–1.0 wt% CaFe2O4. In addition, the refractive index (n0) increased from 3.38 to 10.36, and energy gaps (Eg) decreased from 5.50 to 4.95 eV. The nonlinear refractive index (n2) for the PVDF-CaFe2O4 nanocomposites was improved with the addition of CaFe2O4 nanoparticles, exceeding those reported in the literature for PVC, PVA, and PMMA nanocomposites. Therefore, the PVDF-CaFe2O4 nanocomposites are expected to take the lead in optoelectronic applications because of their unusual optical properties.

Citation

Alhassan, S., Alshammari, M., Alshammari, K., Alotaibi, T., Alshammari, A. H., Fawaz, Y., Taha, T. A. M., & Henini, M. (2023). Preparation and Optical Properties of PVDF-CaFe2O4 Polymer Nanocomposite Films. Polymers, 15(9), Article 2232. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15092232

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 4, 2023
• Online Publication Date: May 8, 2023
• Publication Date: May 8, 2023
• Deposit Date: May 14, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: May 16, 2023
• Journal: Polymers
• Electronic ISSN: 2073-4360
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 15
• Issue: 9
• Article Number: 2232
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15092232
• Keywords: Nanocomposites; PVDF polymer; CaFe2O4
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/20556649
• Publisher URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/15/9/2232