Abstract
Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is considered as one of the most attractive polymers due to its unique physical and chemical characteristics. This work aims to enhance the optical and electrical performance of PVA/MWCNTs blend via doping with Cu/ZnS nanoparticles (NPs) for flexible eco-friendly applications. The optical and electrical performance of MWCNTs/PVA blend has been enhanced via doping with Cu/ZnS nanoparticles (NPs) for flexible optoelectronics. Undoped and Cu/ZnS doped MWCNTs/PVA polymeric nanocomposites (PNCs) films were equipped by casting method. The structure and optical characteristics were explored using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and UV–visible–NIR spectrophotometery. The electrical properties as a function of temperature were studied using a four-probe stage and a Keithley sourcemeter. FT-IR measurements reveal clear variations in the structure of the PNCs due to Cu/ZnS doping. The impact of Cu/ZnS content on the major optical constants of MWCNTs/PVA has been investigated. The direct/indirect optical bandgap (
E
g
dir
.
/
E
g
indir
) decreases from 5.40 and 4.92 eV (undoped MWCNTs/PVA) to 4.77 eV and 4.24 eV (5 wt% PNCs). Wemple-DiDomenico (WDD) and Sellmeier oscillator models were used to investigate the dispersion constants. The influence of Cu/ZnS content on electrical conductivity (
σ
dc
) and activation energy has been explored. Great enhancement of the optical and electrical constants of MWCNTs/PVA is achieved via doping with Cu/ZnS NPs. The obtained results nominate Cu/ZnS PNCs for applications in flexible optoelectronics.
Graphical abstract