Synthesis and Characterization of PVA/TiO₂ Nanocomposite 

Abstract

A thin film of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and nanocomposite of PVA/TiO 2 have been prepared by spin coating method at room temperature. The influence of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on the structure, optical, and functional group analysis of nanocomposite of polyvinyl alcohol/titanium dioxide was studied by using X-ray diffraction analysis, UV–vis spectroscopy and FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy). As some significant amount of titanium dioxide nanoparticles were added to the synthesis process of a thin film of PVA/TiO 2 nanocomposite and it was found that electronic band gap of the polyvinyl alcohol decreases from 3.94 eV to 3.04 eV, and absorption wavelength shifted towards red. For titanium dioxide nanoparticles, the calculated value of band gap is 3.24 eV. The XRD peak of the PVA/TiO 2 was obtained in between the peak of the titanium dioxide nanoparticles and polyvinyl alcohol. FTIR confirms the presence of bonds Ti-O, -OH , -CH 2 , -CH 3 and of a carbonyl group.