Synthesis at the nanoscale of ZnO into poly(methyl methacrylate) and its characterization

In this paper, PMMA/ZnO nanocomposites have been prepared by a very simple, facile and versatile chemical approach. The prepared PMMA/ZnO nanocomposites possess no color, high transparency, good thermal stability, UV-shielding capability, luminescence and homogeneity. The chemical process involved solution mixing of ZnO nanoparticles dispersed in DMAc with the Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) matrix dissolved in the same solvent. The effect of ZnO content on the physical properties of the PMMA matrix is investigated by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, UV-Vis absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopy. It was found that pure hexagonal ZnO nanoparticles with an average particle size of 4-8 nm were homogeneously dispersed in the PMMA matrix. A significant improvement in thermal properties was observed with the incorporation of 1.0 wt% ZnO nanoparticles. The prepared nanocomposite films are highly transparent and a clear excitonic peak is observed in their absorption spectra. Measurement of room temperature photoluminescence spectra shows intensive near-band edge emission peak at 3.28 eV without any structural defects for a nanocomposite film with a filler content of 1.0 wt%.