Evaluation of Energy Band Gap, Thermal Conductivity, Phase Transition Temperature and Elastic Response of PS/CdS Semiconducting Optical Nanocomposite

Thick film of Polystyrene (PS)/CdS semiconducting optical nanocomposite has been synthesized by dispersing nanofiller particles of CdS in PS matrix. The nanostructure of the CdS particles has been ascertained through X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Small angle x-ray scattering analysis has been performed in order to ascertain nanocomposite character of the PS/CdS sample. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analyses of these samples have been carried out to establish the surface morphology. Optical Absorption Spectroscopy is used to measure the energy band gap of PS/CdS nanocomposite by using Tauc relation whereas Transient Plane Source Technique is used for the determination of thermal conductivity of the prepared samples. The phase transition temperature and elastic response of the prepared samples have been ascertained through Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA). This study reveals that the thermal conductivity, Young’s modulus and the toughness of the material are greatly influenced by the existence of interfacial energetic interaction between dispersed CdS nanofiller particles and matrix of PS.