Fabrication and Characterization of <scp>PVA</scp> – <scp>MC</scp> / <scp>BaTiO</scp> ₃ <scp>SiO</scp> ₂ Nanocomposite Films With Enhanced Optical, Dielectric, and Radiation‐Shielding Properties

ABSTRACT This work reports, for the first time, the fabrication of poly(vinyl alcohol)–methylcellulose (PVA–MC)/BaTiO 3 ‐SiO 2 nanocomposite films via a simple casting method. This innovative approach enables the synergistic integration of the flexibility and film‐forming ability of PVA–MC with the high dielectric and optical properties of BaTiO 3 ‐SiO 2 nanoparticles. As a result, the hybrid films exhibit enhanced structural integrity and superior optical performance compared to conventional nanocomposite membranes. The microstructural, morphological, and optical characteristics of the PVA–MC/BaTiO 3 SiO 2 films were systematically investigated. Results show that absorbance increased by 88.7% in the UV region ( λ = 320 nm) and by 92% in the near‐infrared region ( λ = 760 nm) at a BaTiO 3 SiO 2 content of 6.7 wt%. Moreover, the allowed indirect band gap decreased from 4.1 to 1.6 eV with increasing nanoparticle loading, confirming the improved optical performance. These findings highlight the novelty and potential of PVA–MC/BaTiO 3 SiO 2 hybrid films as cost‐effective, high‐performance nanomaterials for nano‐optical and optoelectronic applications. The (PVA–MC)/BaTiO 3 SiO 2 nanocomposite films were tested for gamma radiation shielding application. The results showed these nanocomposite films included high attenuation coefficients, good flexibility, and low cost.