Linear and Nonlinear Optical Properties of PVA:SA Blend Reinforced by TiO2 Nanoparticles Prepared by Flower Extract of Aloe Vera for Optoelectronic Applications

In this study, a polyvinyl alcohol-sodium alginate blend, PVA:SA 3:1 (w:w), was doped with different contents of TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) prepared by aloe vera leaf extract to form the investigated nanocomposites. The nonlinear parameters of third-order susceptibility (chi((3))) and refractive index (n(2)) were detected by using UV-Vis spectroscopy and Z-scan techniques. Some different optical parameters were also determined, including the refractive index (n), optical dielectric parameters, volume and surface energy loss functions, and some others. The best solar skin protection factor (SSPF) was investigated by 5 wt.% of TiO2 NPs doped in PVA:SA 3:1, which was about 84.6% compared to the corresponding value of the host blend (41%). The studied nanocomposites were examined for their utility in the optical limiting of CUT-OFF laser filters utilizing a continuous He-Ne laser working at 632.2 nm. As a result, our finding demonstrated that TiO2 NPs doped in the host blend of PVA:SA positively influences a laser light blocking for the investigated laser source. Using the estimated gap energies values, different models were used to deduce theoretical values of the linear refractive index (n). The presence of Ti peaks in the EDX spectrum confirmed the doping of TiO2 NPs in the nanocomposites. SEM showed that the TiO2 NPs are homogeneously dispersed through the host blend with some agglomerates. XRD spectra showed that the values of the lattice strain epsilon(str). detected at 2 theta = 19.78 degrees are 0.058, 0.055, and 0.060, corresponding to 1, 3, and 5 wt.% of TiO2 NPs doped in the PVA:SA blend.

Automated summary

In this study, TiO2 nanoparticles doped in a blend of polyvinyl alcohol and sodium alginate were investigated. The properties of the nanocomposites were analyzed, including the third-order susceptibility and refractive index, as well as other optical parameters. It was found that the addition of 5 wt.% of TiO2 nanoparticles significantly improved the solar skin protection factor of the blend. The nanocomposites were also shown to effectively block laser light. The presence and dispersion of TiO2 nanoparticles in the blend were confirmed by EDX and SEM analysis.