PVA/PVP/PEG polymeric blend loaded with nano-Zn0.75-xFexCd0.25S: effect of iron concentration on the optical characteristics

Poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(ethylene glycol)/polyvinyl pyrrolidone blend loaded with nano-(Zn0.75-xFexCd0.25S) was formed by thermolysis and casting procedures. Rietveld analysis confirmed the formation of a solid solution Zn0.75-xFexCd0.25S with a single zinc blende phase of cubic structure. Upon doping with iron (Fe) ions, the cell parameter increased slightly while the crystallite size decreased. X-ray diffraction evidenced the possible formation of cross-linking between different polymers in the blend by the variation in the characteristic diffraction peaks positions of the constituent polymers upon forming blends. From the analysis of ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectra, all samples exhibited a normal dispersion. The absorbance, extinction coefficient, refractive index, dielectric constant, optical conductivity and nonlinear optical parameters of the nanofiller-loaded blend have the highest value compared with the other blends when the Fe content is 10%. The emitted fluorescence (FL) intensity and colors depended on the amount of Fe in the nanofiller. The blend with 15% Fe has the highest FL intensity as compared with other blends.

Automated summary

A Poly(vinyl alcohol)/poly(ethylene glycol)/polyvinyl pyrrolidone blend loaded with nano-(Zn0.75-xFexCd0.25S) was prepared using thermolysis and casting procedures. The addition of Fe ions resulted in a slight increase in cell parameter and a decrease in crystallite size. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated possible cross-linking between different polymers in the blend. UV-Vis spectra analysis showed that the nanofiller-loaded blend had the highest values for absorbance, extinction coefficient, refractive index, dielectric constant, optical conductivity and nonlinear optical parameters when Fe content was 10%. The fluorescence intensity and colors emitted were dependent on the amount of Fe in the nanofiller, with the blend containing 15% Fe exhibiting the highest fluorescence intensity.