Abstract
In this study, Chitosan-MgO nanocomposite was prepared using a simple chemical precipitation method and characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Chitosan-MgO nanocomposite samples were exposed to laser pulses with fluencies ranging from 2 to 25 J/cm(2). The structural modifications in the exposed nanocomposite samples were studied as a function of laser fluencies using various characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results indicate that the laser exposure up to 25 J/cm(2) results in the production of broken molecular chains, reducing the thermal stability of the Chitosan-MgO nanocomposite. In addition, the melting temperature is found to be sensing the crystalline domains. Higher laser fluences cause the generation of defects that can lead to lowering the melting temperature.