article · Polymer Engineering and Science
Polymer nanocomposite films were developed by blending polyvinyl alcohol and carboxymethyl cellulose doped with hybrid copper and selenium nanoparticles using a casting method. Analysis confirmed that the base polymers were miscible, exhibiting a single glass transition. Incorporating these nanoparticles increased the amorphous structure of the polymer blend and substantially narrowed its optical energy gap. The average sizes of the copper and selenium nanoparticles were measured at approximately 11 and 41 nanometres, respectively. At an optimum loading of 1.60 weight per cent of hybrid nanoparticles, the nanocomposite films achieved their highest alternating and direct current conductivity levels. Furthermore, the inclusion of the hybrid nanofiller enhanced the mechanical strength of the blend and boosted its antibacterial activity, highlighting the versatile characteristics of the resulting material.
Combining different functional materials into a single polymer film can create composites that are simultaneously mechanically strong, electrically conductive, and resistant to bacteria. By modifying common polymer blends with metallic and semiconductor nanoparticles, this research demonstrates how physical and biological properties can be adjusted together, which is crucial for creating advanced functional materials.
The findings suggest potential applications for developers of electrical energy storage devices, solid polymer electrolytes, and antibacterial food packaging. The research is at an early experimental stage, having demonstrated synthesised laboratory samples and basic functional performance, meaning further testing and scale-up would be needed before practical industrial deployment.
AI-generated from the published abstract. Always read the original work before citing.
Abstract Polymer nanocomposite samples of a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) blend doped with copper nanoparticles and selenium nanoparticles (Cu NPs/Se NPs) were prepared by the casting method. X‐ray diffraction analysis (XRD) patterns showed an increase in the degree of amorphous nature of the host polymeric matrix with increasing content of Cu/Se nanoparticles. The addition of 1.60 wt.%, Cu/Se NPs narrowed the indirect optical energy gap value of the nanocomposite from 3.97 to 2.39 eV. In addition, the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curve of the pure blend displays the miscibility of the blend components, confirmed by the presence of a single glass transition. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) micrographs showed that the average sizes of Cu and Se nanoparticles are about 11 and 41 nm, respectively. The maximum values of AC and DC conductivity were 6.76 × 10 −6 S.cm −1 and 5.49 × 10 −10 for a PVA/CMC film filled with 1.60 wt.% of Cu‐Se NPs. The mechanical properties of the PVA/CMC blend improved after adding the hybrid NPs. Moreover, the antibacterial activity of the prepared samples was increased due to the filling of Cu‐Se nanoparticles to the films. Therefore, these results indicate the multifunctionality of PVA/CMC/Cu‐Se nanocomposite samples for use in electrical energy storage, solid‐polymer electrolytes, and food packaging industry.
This page summarises published work. The authoritative version sits with the publisher.
DOI: 10.1002/pen.26339
Is something wrong with this record? Report it or request removal.
Discussion
Have you built on this work, tried to replicate it, or seen it applied in practice? Share what you know. Verified researchers and MARATTO™ domain experts can open a discussion, and any member can reply. Contributions are reviewed before they appear.
No discussion yet. Open the first thread.
New to MARATTO™? Create a free account.
