Effect of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and Structural Properties of PVA/PMMA Composite Films

Recent studies have been conducted on insulating polymers to convert them into semiconductor materials for use in many fields, including electronics. The polymers (PVA) and (PMMA) were chosen for their distinctive properties, availability, low production cost, and integration with each other, and nanoparticles (ZnO) were added to improve their structural and electrical properties. This research article investigates the impact of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles on the electrical and structural properties of composite films made from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). The researchers prepared composite films with varying concentrations of ZnO (0%, 1%, 3%, 5%, and 7% by wt.%) using a solution casting technique. The study employed several analytical methods to characterize the films. FTIR spectroscopy revealed hydrogen bonding between PVA and PMMA, indicating good compatibility between the polymers. XRD analysis showed that the films maintained a crystalline structure even at higher ZnO concentrations. SEM imaging provided insights into the structural reorganization of polymer chains and the distribution of ZnO within the composite. A key finding of the study was the significant improvement in electrical conductivity with the addition of ZnO nanoparticles. The pure PVA/PMMA blend was found to be an electrical insulator, with a conductivity of ,. However, the addition of ZnO dramatically enhanced conductivity, with the optimal concentration being 3% ZnO, which yielded a conductivity of . This transformation effectively changed the material from an insulator to a semiconductor. The researchers concluded that the composite with 3% ZnO concentration exhibited the best overall properties. They suggest that this material could have potential applications in various fields, including digital screens, LCDs, and optical signals. The study demonstrates the potential of incorporating nanomaterials to enhance the properties of polymer composite films, opening up new possibilities for their use in various industries. This is the first study of this PVA-PMMA/ZnO composite and its transformation into a semiconductor material.