Exploring the structural, dielectric, and optical characterizations of PVA/CMC blend upon loading with nano-Zn<inf>0.9</inf>Fe<inf>0.1</inf>S

Abstract

Zn0.9Fe0.1S as nanofillers, prepared by solid-state reactions at different temperatures, have been loaded into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) polymer blend using a casting procedure. The structural and microstructural parameters of Zn0.9Fe0.1S powder, prepared at 300, 400, and 500 °C, have been determined by applying Rietveld analysis to the measured X-ray patterns. The obtained composites of PVA/CMC/Zn0.9Fe0.1S were characterized applying X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscope techniques. Several theoretical models were applied to determine the value of the refractive index and the non-linear optical parameters of different blends. Upon loading with ZnS/Fe, the band gaps of the pure blend were reduced non-monotonically, forming a bow with minimum values (4.68, 4.7 eV). Fluorescence (FL) spectra suggest that the studied blends are promising materials for light-emitting diodes and solar cells. The effect of the preparation temperature of the nanofiller on the AC conductivity, dielectric constant, and electric modulus of the blends was also investigated.