Structural, Optical, and Electrical Investigations of Nd2O3-Doped PVA/PVP Polymeric Composites for Electronic and Optoelectronic Applications.

In this present work, a PVA/PVP-blend polymer was doped with various concentrations of neodymium oxide (PB-Nd+3) composite films using the solution casting technique. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was used to investigate the composite structure and proved the semi-crystallinity of the pure PVA/PVP polymeric sample. Furthermore, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis, a chemical-structure tool, illustrated a significant interaction of PB-Nd+3 elements in the polymeric blends. The transmittance data reached 88% for the host PVA/PVP blend matrix, while the absorption increased with the high dopant quantities of PB-Nd+3. The absorption spectrum fitting (ASF) and Tauc's models optically estimated the direct and indirect energy bandgaps, where the addition of PB-Nd+3 concentrations resulted in a drop in the energy bandgap values. A remarkably higher quantity of Urbach energy for the investigated composite films was observed with the increase in the PB-Nd+3 contents. Moreover, seven theoretical equations were utilized, in this current research, to indicate the correlation between the refractive index and the energy bandgap. The indirect bandgaps for the proposed composites were evaluated to be in the range of 5.6 eV to 4.82 eV; in addition, the direct energy gaps decreased from 6.09 eV to 5.83 eV as the dopant ratios increased. The nonlinear optical parameters were influenced by adding PB-Nd+3, which tended to increase the values. The PB-Nd+3 composite films enhanced the optical limiting effects and offered a cut-off laser in the visible region. The real and imaginary parts of the dielectric permittivity of the blend polymer embedded in PB-Nd+3 increased in the low-frequency region. The AC conductivity and nonlinear I-V characteristics were augmented with the doping level of PB-Nd+3 contents in the blended PVA/PVP polymer. The outstanding findings regarding the structural, electrical, optical, and dielectric performance of the proposed materials show that the new PB-Nd+3-doped PVA/PVP composite polymeric films are applicable in optoelectronics, cut-off lasers, and electrical devices.

Enhancement in the Structural, Electrical, Optical, and Photocatalytic Properties of La2O3-Doped ZnO Nanostructures.

A lanthanum oxide (La2O3)-ZnO nanostructured material was synthesized in the proposed study with different La2O3 concentrations, 0.001 g to 5 g (named So to S7), using the combustion method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) were utilized for investigating the structure, morphology, and spectral studies of the La2O3- ZnO nanomaterials, respectively. The results obtained from previous techniques support ZnO's growth from crystalline to nanoparticles' fine structure by changing the concentrations of lanthanum oxide (La2O3) dopants in the host matrix. The percentage of ZnO doped with La- influences the ZnO photocatalytic activity. SEM analysis confirmed the grain size ranged between 81 and 138 nm. Furthermore, UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy was performed to verify the effects of La2O3 dopants on the linear optical properties of the nano-composite oxides. There was a variation in the energy bandgaps of La2O3-ZnO nanocomposites, increasing the weight concentrations of lanthanum dopants. The AC electrical conductivity, dielectric properties, and current-voltage properties support the enactment of the electrical characteristics of the ZnO nanoparticles by adding La2O3. All the samples under investigation were used for photodegradation with Rhodamine B (RhB) and Methylene Blue (MB). In less than 30 min of visible light irradiation, S4 (0.5 g) La2O3-ZnO reached 99% of RhB and MB degradation activity. This study showed the best photocatalytic effect for RhB and MB degradation of 0.13 and 0.11 min-1 by 0.5 g La2O3-ZnO. Recycling was performed five times for the nanocatalysts that displayed up to 98 percent catalytic efficiency for RhB and MB degradation in 30 min. The prepared La2O3-ZnO nanostructured composites are considered novel candidates for various applications in biomedical and photocatalytic studies.

The Photocatalytic Performance of Nd2O3 Doped CuO Nanoparticles with Enhanced Methylene Blue Degradation: Synthesis, Characterization and Comparative Study.

The growth of the textile industry results in a massive accumulation of dyes on water. This enormous rise in pigments is the primary source of water pollution, affecting the aquatic lives and our ecosystem balance. This study aims to notify the fabrication of neodymium incorporated copper oxide (Nd2O3 doped CuO) nanoparticles by combustion method for effective degradation of dye, methylene blue (MB). X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field emission Scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Zeta potential have been applied for characterization. Photocatalyst validity has been evaluated for methylene blue degradation (MB). Test conditions such as time of contact, H2O2, pH, and photo-Fenton have been modified to identify optimal degradation conditions. Noticeably, 7.5% Nd2O3 doped CuO nanoparticle demonstrated the highest photocatalytic efficiency, up to 90.8% in 80 min, with a 0.0227 min-1 degradation rate. However, the photocatalytic efficiency at pH 10 becomes 99% with a rate constant of 0.082 min-1. Cyclic experiments showed the Nd2O3 doped CuO nanoparticle's stability over repeated use. Scavenge hydroxyl radical species responsible for degradation using 7.5% Nd2O3 doped CuO nanoparticles have been investigated under visible irradiation.

Flexible photocatalytic membrane based on CdS/PMMA polymeric nanocomposite films: multifunctional materials.

In this study, poly(methyl methacrylate) with different doping nano-cadmium sulfide (CdS/PMMA) is prepared and characterized. CdS/PMMA polymeric nanocomposite films were synthesized using solution casting methodology. SEM and XRD are used for structure analysis for the studied nanocomposite films. XRD revealed the amorphous domains of PMMA polymer, which increased with increasing CdS nanoparticle contents. SEM revealed the CdS dispersion within the PMMA matrix. CdS nanoparticles in the PMMA matrix are expected to be aggregated due to the casting technique. The optical energy gap is found to be decreased after the CdS addition. ε' and ε″ have the same behavior with the applied frequency. Maxwell-Wagner interfacial polarization is the responsible factor for higher values of ε'-ε″ at the higher frequencies. Electrical conductivity behavior σAC tends to obtain a constant value at lower frequencies that approach from its DC conductivity values. After doping PMMA with nano-CdS, an exponential increase after a critical frequency value and the values of σAC was also increased. Besides, a significant reduction in laser energy power is identified by the reduction of the output power. CdS/PMMA can attenuate the laser power due to its nonlinear effect. CdS/PMMA nanocomposite can act as a photocatalyst to improve the performance of the photodegradation of Rhodamine B (RhB). Among the different CdS/PMMA nanocomposite films, 3.33 wt% CdS/PMMA demonstrates the highest efficiency in visible photocatalysis of Rhodamine B. CdS/PMMA can be utilized as multifunctional materials use like laser optical limiting to reduce the power of laser sources and as a photocatalyst membranes.