Impact of black nickel oxide nanoparticles on fabricated PVA-PEG/Ni2O3 nanocomposites: morphology, optical and A.C electrical properties

Abstract

Nanocomposite films based on polymeric blend poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) with 10 wt.% PEG in PVA and Ni₂O₃ at five different wt.% like 3, 4.5, 6, 7.5 , and 9 were fabricated. The analysis of FTIR spectra confirms the presence of functional groups belonging to the polymer systems. The surface images denote a good distribution of Ni₂O₃ particles and form a network of paths charge transfer within the polymeric blend. Above 300 nm, the transmittance curves of all samples showed a tendency towards saturation, and the value for blended polymer film was ~ 88% in the Vis and NIR areas of the spectrum, but it decreases almost gradually with increasing the weight reaching ~66% at 9 wt.% Ni₂O₃, which makes it suitable for different applications, (e.g. packaging for storage drugs regardless of cost or for solar cell applications).  Optical band gaps of allowed transitions decreased from 4.385 to 2.22 eV. The values of the refractive index showed small increases from 2.45 to 2.68 with the increasing concentration of nanoparticles from 3 to 9 wt.%, where an increase in polarizability values upon loading of Ni₂O₃ NPs. The highest optical conductivity values appear in the UV region particularly in optimum incorporating amount of Ni₂O₃ NPs (9 and 7.5 wt.%). Other features under examination were also seen to be affected by the nano additive. Change of electrical parameters such as dielectric constant, dielectric loss, and A.C electrical conductivity for PVA-PEG/Ni₂O₃ as a function of Ni₂O₃ concentrations and applied electric field frequency makes it suitable for application in capacitors, transistors, and electronic circuits.