Abstract

Structural, optical and thermal characterization of ZnO nanoparticles doped in PEO/PVA blend films

Author(s): F.H.Abd El-Kader, N.A.Hakeem, I.S.Elashmawi, A.M.Ismail

Solid polymer blend films based on PEO/PVA (50/50 wt/wt %) undoped and doped with different concentration of ZnO nanoparticles were prepared by using casting technique. Structural, optical and thermal studies were performed using Fourier transforminfrared (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), ultra violet - visible spectra (UV-VIS), scanning electron microscope (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). IR absorption spectra and DSC thermograms indicate that the PEO/PVAundoped blend and doped with ZnO are immiscible. XRD and band tail energy data showed that the incorporation of nano-ZnO into the polymeric system causes decreasing the crystallinity of samples. The kinetic thermodynamic parameters such as activation energy, enthalpy, entropy and Gibbs free energy were evaluated from TG data using Coats – Redfern relation. SEM analysis indicate the change of the surface morphology of PEO/PVA/ZnO- nano particles.