Preparation and characterization of PVA/MWCNT nanocomposites: a composition dependence study of structural, optical and mechanical properties

Abstract

This work investigates the properties of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanocomposite films with varying multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) content, ranging from 2 to 8 wt.%. The films were prepared using a solution casting method and characterized using UV-visible spectroscopy, optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and tensile tests. The prepared PVA/MWCNT nanocomposite films exhibited optical band gap values ranging from 3.5 eV to 5.3 eV. XRD analysis confirmed the semi-crystalline nature of these nanocomposites. Mechanical properties, including hardness, yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, and Young’s modulus, were enhanced by increasing MWCNT content by up to 8%. Contact angle measurements showed an increase in hydrophobicity with increasing MWCNT content. Optical microscopy images revealed uniform dispersion of MWCNTs in the PVA matrix. These findings suggest potential applications of PVA-MWCNT nanocomposites in various fields, including photosensors, UV shielding, adjustable band gap devices, and flexible optoelectronic devices.

Keywords:

• PVA
• MWCNT
• energy gap
• contact angle
• tensile test

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to thank the Department of Physics at University of Baghdad for extraordinary support in this paper.

Author contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection, and analysis were performed by [Mohammed K. Jawad], [Farah T. M. Noori], [Nadia A. Ali], [Seenaa I. Hussein], [Aseel A. Kareem] and [Anji Reddy Polu]. The first draft of the manuscript was written by [Nadia A. Ali] and [Seenaa I. Hussein] and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.”

Data availability statement

All data generated or analyzed during this study are included in this published article.

Disclosure statement

No potential competing of interest.

Ethics statement

Ethical approval was obtained for the study from all participating.

Additional information

Funding

There is no funding for this article