Enhancement of the Structural and Optical Properties of (PVA-PANI) Polymer Blend by Addition of CuI Nanoparticles

Abstract

PVA:PANI/CuI thin film composites have been prepared by adding (CuI) particles to the mixture of the poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) and conductive polyaniline (PANI) with various concentrations (0, 2, 4, 6, and 8% wt) using casting method technique on a glass substrate at laboratory temperature. The prepared thin film samples have lightweight, low cost, and flexible. The morphological, structural, and optical properties of these composites were examined by using Fourier transform - infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The effects of CuI concentrations on the optical properties of the PVA:PANI thin films were studied in the region of wavelength (190-1100) nm. The results are presented the prepared thin films have high values of absorption in UV range. Increasing CuI nanoparticle concentrations lead to increases the absorbance of (PVA:PANI) blend. The optical coefficients rise while the energy gap and transmittance falls with increasing CuI nanoparticle concentrations.