Polymer nanocomposites comprising PVA matrix and AgGaO2 nanofillers: Probing the effect of intercalation on optical and dielectric response for optoelectronic applications

Objectives: Synthesis of hybrid nanoparticles (NPs) and intercalation of as prepared NPs inside polymer matrix to fabricate polymer nanocomposites (NC) and evaluate the optoelectronic properties. Method: A simple, time consuming solution combustion method was used to synthesize silver doped gallium oxide (AgGaO2) NPs. The solution casting process was employed to prepare NC films of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) with the inclusion of AgGaO2 NPs as nanofiller. Finding: The analytical technique such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry analyses were used to analyze the PVA/AgGaO2 NC films. The findings of various characterization approaches showed that the morphological, structural and thermal characteristics of PVA/AgGaO2 NC films had improved, as well as confirms the existence of AgGaO2 NPs in the PVA matrix. Furthermore, the dielectric characteristics of the PVA/AgGaO2 NC films were studied using an LCR meter at various frequencies (50 Hz–1 MHz). With intercalating four different wt% of AgGaO2 NPs content as 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 wt% the dielectric constant and dielectric loss of NC films with 4 wt % AgGaO2 NPs incorporated were 112.1 and 51.5 respectively. Novelty: This improvement in dielectric characteristics revealed the uniform distribution and effective interaction of AgGaO2 NPs with the active site of PVA chains. The preceding findings demonstrated that the obtained PVA NCs were promising materials for flexible energy storage and UV-shielding applications. Keywords: Hybrid metal oxides; Dielectric constant and dielectric loss; AC conductivity; Optical energy band gap