Tailored Optoelectronic Materials: DES-Modified MWCNTs in PVA Matrix for Advanced Polymeric Films

Integrating optoelectronic functionalities with advanced materials offers exciting potential for novel composite systems. This study investigates the synthesis, characterization, and optoelectronic applications of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) films incorporating multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) surface-modified with choline chloride-urea (1:2) deep eutectic solvents (DES), known as Reline. Dispersion of Reline-enhanced MWCNT within the PVA matrix is meticulously described. DES-grafted MWCNTs demonstrate improved solubility, leading to superior dispersion within the polymer, confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The influence of Reline-grafted MWCNT loading on the films' optoelectronic properties, including optical absorbance, bandgap, and electrical conductivity, is systematically analyzed. Results show that DES-grafted MWCNTs significantly enhance these properties, indicating strong potential for these composites in optoelectronic devices such as solar cells, photovoltaics, photodetectors, and light-emitting devices.