Impact of gamma irradiation on the structural, morphological, and optical properties of PLA/MnFe2O3/ZnO nanocomposites

This study investigates the impact of gamma irradiation on the structural, morphological, and optical properties of PLA/MnFe₂O₃/ZnO nanocomposite films. Nanocomposites were fabricated using a sol-gel method and exposed to varying gamma radiation doses. Characterization techniques, including XRD, EDX, FTIR, EPR, UV–Vis spectroscopy, and EELS, were employed to elucidate the effects of irradiation. Gamma irradiation induced significant structural modifications, such as a reduction in crystallite size (from 15 nm to 8 nm at 150 kGy) and lattice strain. The PLA matrix underwent chain scission and crosslinking, altering the material's properties. The optical bandgap narrowed from 3.2 eV to 2.8 eV at 100 kGy, leading to increased light absorption and changes in refractive index and extinction coefficient. The tunable light response, evidenced by changes in optical conductivity and electron energy loss, offers potential applications in optoelectronic devices. Gamma irradiation emerges as a versatile tool for tailoring the properties of PLA/MnFe₂O₃/ZnO nanocomposite films. The findings pave the way for the development of novel nanocomposite-based materials with tailored optical, electronic, and magnetic properties. © 2024 The Author(s)