Synthesis and characterization of CdxZn1-xO nanoparticles-doped aryl poly ether ether ketone for novel application potentials

The influence of polymer on the structure, optical, electrical, and thermal properties of nanoscale fillers is a crucial clue to introduce these novel nanocomposites to service life applications. In the present work, different compositions of cadmium-doped zinc oxide (CdxZn1-xO) nanopowders, x = 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5, with a uniform particle size of around 8 nm have been synthesized. A fixed amount, 1 wt %, of the prepared nanopowders was blended with aryl poly ether ether ketone (PEEK) by solution mixing to prepare PEEK/CdxZn1-xO nanocomposite films. The structure and morphology of CdxZn1-xO nanopowders and PEEK/CdxZn1-xO nanocomposite films have been characterized using transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The results showed that the particle size of nanoscale filler decreases from 10 nm to 57 nm when mixed with PEEK and these nanocomposites have amorphous structure. The thermogravitational analysis results show that a small amount of CdxZn1-xO nanopowders (1 wt %) without surface modification can greatly improve the thermal stability of PEEK. The UVvis spectra showed that there is absorption peak at 284 nm due to interband p-p* electronic transition. This absorption peak gets shifted toward the longer wavelength region as the concentration of cadmium ions increase in the PEEK matrix. This red shift results in a decrease of the band energy gap. The electrical conductivity of PEEK/CdxZn1-xO nanocomposite films was increased as the cadmium ion increases. The results showed that PEEK/CdxZn1-xO nanocomposite films can be used in thermostat and/or fire alarm devices. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012