Optical, Electrical and Thermal Behaviors of CaZnO2 Nanofillers Loaded PVP–PVA Nanocomposite Thick Films

Abstract

Herein, we report the successful fabrication of flexible polyvinyl pyrrolidone–polyvinyl alcohol (PVP-PVA) (50 : 50) nanocomposite (NC) thick films containing 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 wt % calcium doped zinc oxide (CaZnO₂) nanofillers by solution intercalation technique. Synthesized polymer nanocomposite (PNCs) films were characterized and their optical, electrical and thermal properties were studied. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) supports dispersion characteristics and polymer-filler compatibilities. Thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) studies demonstrate their thermal behaviors. Finally, the imperative optical and electrical properties of developed PNC films such as band gap, I–V characteristics, DC and AC conductivity and dielectric constant were also explored and reported. Current-voltage characteristics of PVP–PVA/CaZnO₂ have been performed at room temperature and the blended films show ohmic behavior. Whereas the dielectric properties (dielectric constant, dielectric loss and tangent loss) decrease with increasing frequency and increase with increasing weight percentage of the filler. It was also observed that AC conductivity also increases with the content of embedded fillers. Fabricated PNCs were used in the study of degradation of indigo carmine (IC) dye, where the 4 wt % of PNCs showed the highest degradation rate.