Synthesis of polymer nanocomposites as optical materials for flexible electronic devices

In this study, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and sodium iodide (NaI) were mixed to prepare flexible composite (PVA/NaI) films using the green solution casting synthesis method. Subsequently, these films were exposed to different times of nitrogen plasma (15, 30, 45, and 60 min) using cold plasma source. The X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope analysis were utilized to reveal effects of nitrogen beam on the structural and morphology of the treated samples, respectively. Furthermore, the UV–vis spectroscopic measurements were utilized to study the optical parameters of the pristine and exposed films. Other parameters were computed, such as refractive index and dielectric constant. The plasma resonance frequency (W_P) modified from 0.3 × 10¹³ Hz for the PVA/NaI to 0.41 × 10¹³, 0.34 × 10¹³, 0.31 × 10¹³, and 0.23 × 10¹³ Hz after irradiation of 15, 30, 45, and 60 min of nitrogen plasma, respectively. The most important aspect of this research is the optimization of composite characteristics and plasma conditions to create materials with novel properties for usage in different optical devices. The results show that the irradiated films PVA/NaI are appropriate for use as optical materials for flexible optoelectronic devices.