Enhanced optical and electrical properties of polyvinyl alcohol polyethylene oxide nanocomposite films incorporating hybrid carbon nanofillers

This work reports the fabrication and characterization of PVA/PEO-based nanocomposite films reinforced with a synergistic combination of graphene nanoplates (GNPs) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) using a modified solution casting method. Structural analysis revealed that the incorporation of carbon nanofillers effectively reduced the crystallinity of the polymer blend, promoting an amorphous structure favorable for charge transport. FTIR results confirmed strong interactions between the polymer matrix and the nanofillers. Optical investigations showed a systematic narrowing of the optical band gap and an enhancement in the refractive index with increasing nanofiller content, indicating significant modification of the electronic structure. In addition, the nanocomposite films exhibited markedly improved AC electrical conductivity and dielectric performance due to the formation of an interconnected conductive network and enhanced interfacial polarization. The combined enhancement in optical and electrical properties highlights the effectiveness of the synergistic MWCNTs/GNPs reinforcement strategy. These results demonstrate that the developed PVA/PEO nanocomposite films are promising candidates for advanced optoelectronic devices, energy storage systems, and flexible electronic applications.