Preparation and Characterization of Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)/ZrO2 Composite Membranes

Abstract

Nanocomposite membranes of ZrO2‐doped polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with varying amounts of ZrO2 nanoparticles (5, 9, and 13 wt%) have been prepared via a solution casting technique. The ZrO2 nanoparticles are used as a filler synthesized by sol–gel technique. Effects of ZrO2 nanoparticles doping on composites’ morphological, optical, luminescence, and structural characteristics have been analyzed using atomic force microscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), UV–visible spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray photo electron spectroscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The XRD studies confirm the successful incorporation of ZrO2 into the PVA matrix and showed improved crystallinity following the doping of ZrO2 in PVA. The average size of ZrO2 nanoparticles calculated by XRD agrees well with the particle size measured by transmission electron microscopy. The UV–visible studies of nanocomposite membranes show an enhancement in absorption intensity and a slight red shift in peak positions as the ZrO2 concentration increases. The enhancement in absorption intensity suggests the potential applications in filters and solar cells. The maximum PL intensity observed for 5 wt% of ZrO2 in the PVA/ZrO2 composite membrane suggests that this concentration is most suitable for optoelectronic applications.