Preparation and Optical Properties of PVDF-CaFe2O4 Polymer Nanocomposite Films

Sultan Alhassan; Majed Alshammari; Khulaif Alshammari; Turki Alotaibi; Alhulw H Alshammari; Yasir Fawaz; Taha Abdel Mohaymen Taha; Mohamed Henini

doi:10.3390/polym15092232

Preparation and Optical Properties of PVDF-CaFe₂O₄ Polymer Nanocomposite Films

Polymers (Basel). 2023 May 8;15(9):2232. doi: 10.3390/polym15092232.

Authors

Sultan Alhassan¹, Majed Alshammari¹, Khulaif Alshammari¹, Turki Alotaibi¹, Alhulw H Alshammari¹, Yasir Fawaz¹, Taha Abdel Mohaymen Taha¹, Mohamed Henini²

Affiliations

¹ Physics Department, College of Science, Jouf University, Sakaka P.O. Box 2014, Saudi Arabia.
² School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK.

Abstract

In this work, a synthesis technique for highly homogeneous PVDF-CaFe₂O₄ polymer films direct from solution was developed. The structural characterizations were conducted using XRD, FTIR, and ESEM experimental techniques. The XRD characteristic peaks of CaFe₂O₄ nanoparticles revealed a polycrystalline structure. The average crystallite size for CaFe₂O₄ was calculated to be 17.0 nm. ESEM micrographs of PVDF nanocomposites containing 0.0, 0.25, 0.75, and 1.0 wt% of CaFe₂O₄ showed smooth surface topography. The direct E_dir and indirect E_ind band gap energies for the PVDF-CaFe₂O₄ nanocomposites were decreased with the additions of 0.0-1.0 wt% CaFe₂O₄. In addition, the refractive index (n₀) increased from 3.38 to 10.36, and energy gaps (E_g) decreased from 5.50 to 4.95 eV. The nonlinear refractive index (n₂) for the PVDF-CaFe₂O₄ nanocomposites was improved with the addition of CaFe₂O₄ nanoparticles, exceeding those reported in the literature for PVC, PVA, and PMMA nanocomposites. Therefore, the PVDF-CaFe₂O₄ nanocomposites are expected to take the lead in optoelectronic applications because of their unusual optical properties.

Keywords: CaFe2O4; PVDF polymer; nanocomposites.

Grants and funding

The authors extend their appreciation to the Deputyship for Research & Innovation, Ministry of Education in Saudi Arabia, for funding this research work through project number 223202.