XPS, UV-Vis, XRD, and PL spectroscopies for studying nickel nanoparticle positioning effect on nanocomposite film properties

This work studies the impact of positioning nickel nanoparticles (Ni-NPs) on the surface of doped (P84-PEO) nanocomposite films by using an ultra-uniform magnetic field as a model for positioning magnetic NPs inside a polymeric matrix. This process is used to achieve desired and adjustable optoelectronic properties and to obtain new optical and electrical characteristics. P84-PEO copolymer doped with Ni-NPs exposed to a 450 mT magnetic field during the preparation give rise to a momentous increase in surface roughness, surface reactivity, and modified optical parameters, besides forming Ni oxides on the surface. Based on X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy experiments, substantial extra shifts occurred in the binding energies of photo-excited electrons from the O1s and C1s core levels. Additionally, the deconvoluted O1s spectra displays an additional photoelectron peak at 530.0 eV, most likely attributed to oxidized Ni-NPs at the surface. Moreover, optical and structural properties were studied using UV-Vis and PL spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction.

Automated summary

This work investigates the influence of positioning nickel nanoparticles on the surface of nanocomposite films and reveals the impact mechanism through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy experiments and spectroscopic analysis. It demonstrates that the desired optoelectronic properties and new optical and electrical characteristics can be achieved by using an ultra-uniform magnetic field. The study also discovers the formation of Ni oxides on the surface.