Irradiation induced modification of optical properties of PANI-Cu/PMMA and PANI-Cu/CTA nanocomposites

ABSTRACT

The induced alterations in the optical properties of synthesized Polyaniline copper/polymethyl methacrylate, (PANI-Cu/PMMA) and polyaniline-copper/Cellulose Triacetate (PANI-Cu/CTA) nanocomposites (NCPs) owing to UV irradiation have been investigated. Regular arrangements of images for the NCP samples have been represented by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Samples from the prepared NCPs have been exposed to UV radiation in the fluence range 25–120 J/cm². Different optical parameters of the blank and irradiated NCP samples have been examined using UV spectroscopy technique. The optical energy gap decreased from 4.79 and 2.63 to 4.22 and 1.42 eV for the PANI-Cu/PMMA and PANI-Cu/CTA NCPs, respectively, upon increasing the UV fluence up to 120 J/cm². This could be attributed to increasing bonding between PANI-Cu NCP and PMMA or CTA polymers, reflected in an increase in the disordered character. The resultant effect of UV radiation on the PANI-Cu/CTA NCP assists in tailoring the optical properties of such NCP for usage in optoelectronics applications.

KEYWORDS:

• Polymeric nanocompsites
• irradiation
• UV spectroscopy

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

S. A. Nouh

Prof S. A. Nouh, Prof of radiation physics since 2005, Physics department, Faculty of science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. The head of radiation physics unit that deals with the modification of the physical properties of polymer and polymer nanocomposite materials, improving its performance in dosimetery and industrial fields. Member in the Egyptian Universities promotion Committees up to 2015. Honoring by the Egyptian prime ministers, 1992 & 2002, as an excellent researcher.

M. ME. Barakat

Dr M. M. E. Barakat, Assistant Professor in Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt. PhD in physics from Alexandria University, 2012. She is interested in research in the field of superconductivity and nanostructures.

Renu Gupta

Dr Renu Gupta is an assistant professor in Department of physics, kurukshetra university, kurukshetra. She received her PhD in Physics from kurukshetra University in 2013. Her current research interests include material science, polymers, nanoscience and material modification by ion implantation.

K. Benthami

Dr K. Benthami, PhD in Applied Physics, Faculty of sciences University of Moulay Ismail, Morocco, 2011, works in the field of the use of ionizing and non ionizing radiations in modifying the physical properties of polymer and polymer nanocomposite materials to be suitable candidate for industrial and dosimeteric applications.

Radiyah A. Bahareth

Dr Radiyah A. Bahareth, Associate professor, College of Science, Jeddah University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. PhD in physics, 2004. Associate professor 2015, from physics department, Girls College of Education, King Abdel Aziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The field of research is the radiation effects on polymer and polymer nanocomposites for the application in industry.