Optical enrichment of polyvinyl alcohol films by neodymium oxide and multi-walled carbon nanotube for optical applications

Abstract

The current topic addresses the structure and optical features of the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) film after adding two different components. Four composite matrices were prepared via the casting process: neat PVA film, PVA film blended with multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT), and PVA-MWCNT blend film reinforced with 2 % and 4 % Nd₂O₃. The composite films were characterized by various techniques, including X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), optical microscope, and ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometer. The XRD and FTIR investigation revealed that adding MWCNT and Nd₂O₃ alters the phase structure of the PVA film, and the crystallinity decreases. The PVA film's absorbance increases by adding MWCNT, besides the decrease of the transmittance by adding Nd₂O₃ nanoparticles in the UV region. The bandgap energy of the PVA film decreased from 5.44 eV to 4.18 eV. In addition, doping the PVA-MWCNT blend with Nd₂O₃ nanoparticles declines the bandgap energy to about 3.27 eV and 3.06 eV by adding 2 % and 4 % Nd₂O₃, respectively. Linear and nonlinear optical parameters like refractive index (linear and nonlinear), metallization criteria, and optical susceptibility were enhanced by adding MWCNT and Nd₂O₃ nanoparticles. The PVA-MWCNT-Nd₂O₃ composite film with enhanced optical parameters is promising for optical and biomedical applications.