The effect of gamma irradiation on the optical properties of (PVA-PAA-Al2O3) films

Abstract

Thin films of (PVA-PAA-Al2O3) nanocomposites composed of Poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA), Poly (acrylic acid) (PAA) have been prepared with different concentrations of aluminum(III) oxide (Al2O3) nanoparticles and thicknesses by using the casting method. The main focus of the present work is to study the effects of ionizing radiation on the properties of the nanocomposites obtained. These films were irradiated with (50 kGy) of 60Co gamma rays. The optical properties of (PVA-PAA-Al2O3) nanocomposites have been measured in the range (300-800) nm of the wavelength. The transmittance, absorbance, coefficient of extinction (k), coefficient of absorption (α), the index of refraction (n) and the dielectric constants of real (e_1) and imaginary (e_2) components and are increasing by increasing the Al2O3 nanoparticles weight proportions. The polymers gap of energy (E_g) decreases by increasing of the Al2O3 nanoparticles concentrations. The results show that the effect of γ-irradiation leads to increase the absorbance, extinction coefficient of extinction (k), the index of refraction (n) and the dielectric constants (e_1 and e_2) of the real and imaginary while the energy gap (E_g) and the transmittance decreases.