ВИГОТОВЛЕННЯ ТА МОРФОЛОГІЧНА, МІКРОСТРУКТУРНА ТА ОПТИЧНА ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКА НАНОКОМПОЗИТІВ PS/Cu-ZnO ДЛЯ ЗАСТОСУВАНЬ У ПЕРЕДОВІЙ ОПТОЕЛЕКТРОНІЦІ

Polymer nanocomposites exhibit significantly enhanced mechanical, optical, thermal, and electrical properties. Their unique structure-property relationships have driven widespread interest for applications in electronics, energy storage, and biomedical technologies. In this study, PS/Cu-ZnO nanocomposite films were successfully fabricated using the solution casting method. Optical, morphological, and structural investigations were carried out. Optical microscopy images show a uniform distribution of nanoparticles (NPs) within the polymer matrix and the formation of conductive pathways that increase charge carrier mobility. FE-SEM images confirm the good dispersion of NPs throughout the polymer matrix, while revealing agglomeration and cluster formation with increasing NP content. Optical characterization demonstrated an improvement in most optical parameters with higher NP loading, with the exception of transmittance and optical bandgap, which both decreased. Specifically, the indirect allowed bandgap decreased from 3.52 eV to 2.40 eV, and the indirect forbidden bandgap dropped from 3.12 eV to 1.48 eV. Furthermore, the absorbance of the PS polymer matrix increased by 85 % at a wavelength of 380 nm upon adding Cu-ZnO NPs. These results demonstrate the high potential of these nanocomposites for various optoelectronic and biomedical applications.