Study the structure of selenium modified polyethylene oxide/polyvinyl alcohol (PEO/PVA) polymer blend

Abstract

A blend of polyethylene oxide (PEO)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) filled with gradient concentrations of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) was prepared using a conventional casting technique. The influence of selenium content variation on structural, optical, and surface characteristics of the studied nanocomposite films was evaluated. Characterization studies have shown that the blend ensures a uniform and controlled distribution of SeNPs within the polymer network. Infrared spectral data exhibited changes in the intensities and position of the characteristic absorption peaks within the fingerprint region extended from 1700 to 700 cm−1 for virgin and filled PEO/PVA blend samples. X-ray diffraction pattern of studied nanocomposites displays a semi-crystalline behavior that decreased with increasing SeNPs content. Both FTIR and XRD spectral data support the interaction between organic and inorganic compartments. Furthermore, the UV–visible spectra show a notable increase in absorbance combined with values and a new absorption peak appears at ~200, which gradually shifts to the side of the higher wavelength as the content of SeNPs increases. TEM images confirm the presence of spherical and crystalline SeNPs nanoparticles with radii ranging between 30 and 70 nm.

Keywords

• Selenium nanoparticles
• PVA
• PEO
• FTIR