UV-irradiation assisted control of the structural, optical and thermal properties of PEO/PVP blended gold nanoparticles

The solution casting technique was used to prepared polyethylene oxide (PEO)/polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) polymer blend/0.72 (wt. %) gold nanoparticles (Au NPs). The prepared nanocomposite sample was exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation at different time intervals (0.5 h,1 h, 2 h, 4 h, 6 h and 8 h). X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) showed the semicrystalline nature for pure blend that was changed because of Au NPs addition and irradiation process. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy revealed the interaction between the functional groups of blend components and Au NPs. This interaction was varied depending on the exposure time to UV-radiation. The optical parameters, such as optical energy gap E-g, refractive index n and Urbach energy E-u, were calculated in terms of UV-Vis. analysis. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) micrographs showed spherical shape for biosynthesized Au NPs and its size was affected due to addition and irradiation processes. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) techniques were performed to investigate the thermal stability for the prepared nanocomposite before and after irradiation process. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.