Structural and optical characterization of γ-irradiated LG-PVA/Ag nanocomposite film

In the current study, legnosulfonate-polyvinyl alcohol/silver (LG-PVA/Ag) nanocomposite film was prepared. Samples from the LG-PVA/Ag nanocomposite film were irradiated with 5-50 kGy gamma dosages. The optical characterization of the irradiated films has been investigated considering dosage applying XRD, UV spectroscopy and color difference studies. The optical bandgap, refractive index, Urbach energy, optical dielectric parameters, chromaticity coordinates, tristimulus values, color intensity and color intercepts have been calculated and interpreted based on gamma dosages. The bandgap decreased from 4.80 to 3.61 eV with raising the gamma dosage up to 50 kGy, together with a rise in Urbach energy. This is attributable to the domination of crosslinking, which damages the crystalline phase as indicated by XRD. Moreover, the pristine LG-PVA/Ag film demonstrated noteworthy kindliness to changes in color by gamma irradiation, as the color intensity reached a value greater than 5. This is a sensible contest in marketable reproduction in the printing press.

Automated summary

A legnosulfonate-polyvinyl alcohol/silver (LG-PVA/Ag) nanocomposite film was prepared and its optical properties after gamma irradiation were investigated. The results showed that increasing gamma dosage led to a decrease in bandgap and an increase in Urbach energy, indicating the dominance of crosslinking and damage to the crystalline phase. The pristine LG-PVA/Ag film also exhibited sensitivity to gamma irradiation-induced color changes.