Gamma Radiation-Induced Modification in Mechanical Properties of Hybrid PVA (Go/Ag)-Based Polymer Nanocomposites

Abstract

Polymer nanocomposites have been employed for various applications, including biocompatible biomedical devices, electronic devices, UV shielding, and thermal management. There is a pressing need to develop comprehensive characterization approaches that can assess the overall performance of these materials under irradiation conditions, encompassing a broader range of mechanical properties beyond those traditionally studied. In this context a hybrid polymer nanocomposite was developed using Polyvinyl Alcohol, glutaraldehyde, Silver, and Graphene Oxide nanoparticles through a straightforward in situ chemical reduction process. These prepared samples were subjected to varying doses of gamma radiation, ranging from 0 to 10 kGy, to investigate alterations in their structural and mechanical properties. To validate the elemental composition and functional groups present in both unirradiated and irradiated nanocomposites, EDX and FTIR spectra were employed. The investigation to the mechanical characteristics of these samples. In unirradiated samples, elongation at break (ϵ_f) was determined to be 134.67 ± 1.45%, while radiation exposure resulted in an increase in the ϵ_f to 175.33 ± 8.01%. Tensile strength (σ_ult) initially declined for the 2 kGy exposure but increased at 5 kGy, only to decrease again with further dose increments. Remarkably, the material exhibited increased toughness as the dose reached 5 kGy, with a measured value of modulus of toughness (MT) at 55.30 ± 6.09 J/m³. These findings shed light on the impact of gamma radiation on the structural and mechanical properties of the polymer nanocomposite material.