Synthesis, characterization and optical properties of hybrid PVA–ZnO nanocomposite: A composition dependent study

Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • ZnO nanoparticles were prepared by solution combustion method. • PVA–ZnO nanocomposites were synthesized by solution casting method. • Doped and undoped films were characterized using different techniques. • Red shift in optical band gap was observed in Nanocomposite films with respect to nano ZnO. • Photoluminescence intensity was found to be optimum for PVA–10 mol% ZnO nanocomposite film. - Abstract: Nanocomposites of poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) and ZnO have been synthesized using the solution casting technique for different concentrations of nano ZnO powder prepared by low temperature solution combustion method. The formation of polymer nanocomposite and changes in the structural and micro structural properties of the materials were investigated by X-ray diffraction, Energy dispersive X ray spectroscopy and optical microscopy techniques (FTIR and UV–Visible). The surface morphology of PVA–ZnO nanocomposite films were elucidated using Scanning Electron Microscopy. The optical absorption spectrum of nano ZnO shows blue shift in the optical band gap energy with respect to characteristic bulk ZnO at room temperature, whereas PVA–ZnO hybrid films show red shift with respect to nano ZnO. The photoluminescence studies show that the intensity of the blue emission (470 nm) varies with change in concentration of ZnO withmore » an optimum intensity observed at 10 mol% of ZnO.« less