Polymer reinforced with nanoparticles and made using the spin coating technique: characterization and analysis

In this research paper, thin films of polyethersulfone reinforced with different concentrations of the zinc-nickel ferrite nanoparticles [ZnNiFe] using the spin coating technique is presented and briefly discussed. The polymer chosen was polyethersulfone. Optical characterization of the test samples was carried out using different spectroscopic techniques at room temperature [25°C]. The structural properties, texture, and morphological characteristics of the as-prepared thin films were studied using the techniques of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy [FTIR], X-ray diffraction [XRD] spectra, atomic force microscopy [AFM], and scanning electron microscopy [SEM]. The results revealed the ZnNiFe nanoparticle-reinforced polyethersulfone thin films are good candidates for selection and use in photonic applications, such as optical sensors, solar panels, and other photonic devices. In addition, both the ground state dipole moment and excited state dipole moment were determined for the polyethersulfone (PES) molecule using the solvatochromic shift method. This was essentially for developing an understanding of the charge transfer characteristics of the solute. Results of this novel study did reveal the excited state dipole moment to be observably greater than the ground state dipole moment.