Abstract
Stevia rebaudiana plant leaves were used for biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Transmission electron microscope images showed various shapes and sizes of AuNPs. Various amounts of AuNPs were added to polyvinyl alcohol/carboxymethylcellulose (PVA/CMC, 40/60) via the casting method. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectrum of pure blend shows the amorphous nature of the blend. FTIR spectra showed the interaction between PVA/CMC and AuNPs. The ultra-violet and visible spectra showed emerging new peak of surface plasmon resonance of AuNPs for the filled samples. The scanning electron microscope images showed bright spots on the sample’s surface, which was attributed to AuNPs. AC conductivity exhibited enhancement after the addition of gold nanoparticles. The ε′ and ε″ were reduced with increasing the frequency due to direction dipoles of applied electric field. Because of the mobile charges inside the polymeric backbone, higher values of ε′ and ε″ were observed at low frequencies. The tanδ showed increased with an increase in AuNPs concentration and decrease at high frequency, as expected.