Development of Zn1-xBaxO nanoparticles reinforced poly(vinyl alcohol) macromolecular nanocomposite films: Eco-friendly integrated materials for optical systems

In this paper, we report the synthesis of Ba doped ZnO (Zn1-xBaxO, [x = 0.05]) nanoparticles (NPs) with a polycrystalline hexagonal wurtzite structure using chemical co-precipitation method and prepared optically transparent, high refractive index polymer nanocomposite films by incorporating Zn1-xBaxO into poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) matrix. The average crystallite size of 104 nm was estimated by Scherrer's formula from X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns. The crystallinity of the composite film is significantly increased when Zn1-xBaxO NPs are added. The basic principles and theoretical aspects of scattering, transparency and refractive index of the composite structures are discussed. The formation of Zn-Ba-O inter metallic bond was confirmed by the IR peaks that appear at the spectral wavenumbers (similar to 596-608) cm(-1). ATR-FTIR spectral transmittance strongly proves the intermolecular interactions that occur in the composite film with molecular modification and various functional group impressions. UV-Vis absorption spectrum demonstrates a strong absorption edge around 379 nm owing to oxygen species corresponding to Zn-Ba-O nanostructures in the composite films. The developed polymer composite films yielded strikingly higher RI value of similar to(n = 2.5) having Abbe's number (upsilon(D) = 10) with 57% plus transparency for 5 wt% NPs (ZBP-3) with sufficiently low extinction coefficient values (k similar to 10(-4)). Optical conductivity (sigma(opt)) was found to elevate from sigma(opt) similar to (4.465 x 10(10)) s(-1) for pristine PVA to a sigma(opt) (1.309 x 10(12)) s(-1) for 5 wt% Zn0.95Ba0.05O filled composite films. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis showed a significant increase in the T-g value. The significant increase in T-m and T-d > 311 degrees C values indicates excellent thermal stability. Hence, the nanocomposite films demonstrated an integrated system of excellent refractive index, considerable visual transparency and excellent thermal stability, establishing their potential for use as a wider spectrum of optical system requirements.