Physical characterizations of three phase polycarbonate nanocomposites

Zinc oxide–Barium titanate–Polycarbonate (ZnO−BaTiO ₃ −PC) nanocomposites were prepared to investigate effect of ZnO–BaTiO ₃ mixed nanoparticles on the optical, electrical, and thermal properties of polycarbonate (PC). The UV-visible absorption spectra was measured for the nanocomposites at room temperature between 200 and 800 nm and the optical energy gap was determined from the measured absorption coefficient data. Optical results reveal that BaTiO ₃ ceramic has a strong absorption below 300 nm while ZnO has a strong absorption peak at 367 nm and the UV absorption in these regions depends on the ZnO and BaTiO ₃ concentration. This indicates that the PC UV shielding region can be controlled through the mixed BaTiO ₃ -ZnO nanoparticle weigh ratios. Also, 10 wt% BaTiO ₃ nanoparticles in PC insignificantly affects the optical energy gap whereas 10 wt% ZnO nanoparticles in PC decreases the optical gap from 4.14 to 3.9 eV. Results obtained from DC conductivity and thermal analysis reveal that adding BaTiO ₃ nanoparticles into PC will decrease DC conductivity, restrict chain mobility, and increase thermal stability while, adding ZnO nanoparticles to PC increases DC conductivity, enhances chain mobility, and decreases the thermal stability. The optical, electrical, and thermal properties of these nanocomposites can be controlled by adjusting the ZnO to BaTiO ₃ nanoparticles weight ratios in the PC matrix.