Fabrication, structural and optical characteristics of flexible Ag/polymer nanocomposite materials for optical devices

In this study, the chemical polymerization approach was used to create the P(4-CAni)/AgNPs films, which were formed by combining the poly 4-chloroaniline P(4-CAni) with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The confirmation of the successful production of the composite P(4-CAni)/Ag was provided by EDX analysis. The surface morphology of nanocomposite films confirms the dispersion of Ag nanoparticles into the P(4-CAni) chain. The mapping images show a homogeneous distribution of Ag nanoparticles in the P (4-CAni) polymer chains. It was also found that the optical properties were affected by the addition of the Ag nanofiller. The refractive index for P(4-CAni) increased from 1.07 to 1.10 for P(4-CAni)/Ag and the dispersion energy increased from 0.67 to 1.56[Formula: see text]eV, while the single oscillator energy decreased from 4.41 to 7.52[Formula: see text]eV. A higher ratio of Ag to P(4-CAni) resulted in higher optical conductivity due to charge transfer. Interactions between P(4-CAni) and AgNPs alter the composite electronic structure, which is made change in the optical characteristics of the composites. The results show the produced composite has improved in optical characteristics with the addition of Ag nanoparticles to create a novel flexible material for application in optoelectronics.