Embedding of 50%PVA/50%PVP blend with Sn<inf>0.75</inf>M<inf>0.25</inf>S<inf>2</inf>, (M = Y, Fe, Cr, V); structural and optical study

Abstract

Blended polymers, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), embedded with nano Sn0.75M0.25S2, (M = Y, Fe, Cr, V) were prepared using thermolysis and casting procedures. Rietveld refinement was used to investigate the structure and microstructure of the powder nano-filler Sn0.75M0.25S2, (M = Y, Fe, Cr, V). SEM images of 50%PVA/50%PVP doped with the powder samples revealed a homogeneous distribution of the nano-filler over the polymer blend. X-ray diffraction patterns exhibited small degree of crystallinity coupled with a diffuse scattering referring to an amorphous phase. Transmission FTIR spectra confirmed the incorporation of nano-filler into the blend matrix. The effect of nano-filler on the transmittance, optical absorption coefficient, extinction coefficient, refractive index, the optical bandgap, Urbach energy, steepness parameter, optical conductivity, the real and imaginary parts of the dielectric constant of the 50%PVA/50%PVP blend was studied using UV–vis spectrophotometry technique. Fluorescence (FL) spectra analysis revealed that the emitted color and Fl intensity depended on the kind of nano-filler and excitation wavelength.