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The composites PVA/CuO, which is made of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONP) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) are created by the solution casting production process. The surface properties of the PVA/CuO composite were then altered using a cold cathode ion source for using these samples in optical devices. The PVA/CuO samples were exposed to argon fluencies of 3 × 1017, 6 × 1017, and 9 × 1017 ions.cm−2. By raising the fluence from 3 × 1017 to 9 × 1017 ions.cm−2, the contact angle is reduced from to 48.43° to 32.52°, while the work of adhesion increased from 119.93 mJ/m to a 132.86 mJ/m. Using the Wemple and Di-Domenico approach, the optical characteristics were computed. The absorption edge is reduced from 2.71 eV for PVA/CuO to 2.56, 1.99, and 1.82 eV, for the samples as exposed to 3 × 1017, 6 × 1017, and 9 × 1017 ions.cm−2 respectively. And the Urbach tail changed from 1.3 eV for the pure film to 1.6, 1.66, and 4.23 eV, and the bandgaps decrease from 3.67 eV to 3.56 eV, 3.48 eV, and 3.32 eV. The obtained results shows the irradiated PVA/CuO films are more applicable for use in optical devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The films of P(4ClAni)/CuO, which formed of mixing poly 4-chloroaniline P(4ClAni) by CuO, were fabricated by the casting solution method. The XRD confirmed the successful prepration of the P(4ClAni)/CuO films. Additionally, the effect of CuO on the optical characteristics was determined. The CuO increased the refractive index from 1.09 for P(4ClAni) to 1.11 for P(4ClAni)/CuO-1, and 1.19 for P(4ClAni)/CuO-3, respectively, while the oscillation energy E0 dropped from 4.29 eV for P(4ClAni) to 3.57 eV for P(4ClAni)/CuO-1, 3.12 eV for P(4ClAni)/CuO-2, and 3.06 eV for P(4ClAni)/CuO-3. The charge transfer between P(4ClAni) and CuO increased optical conductivity as the CuO ratios increased. This suggests that modifications in the electronic structure of the composite due to the interactions between P(4ClAni) and CuO. Also, the plasma frequency increased from 0.87 x 1012 s−1 to 2.32 x 1012 s−1. These changes in optical parameters occurred when the polarization of the P(4ClAni)/CuO was altered. The study elucidated the advantages of incorporating CuO nanoparticles as fillers in improving the properties of P(4ClAni) structures. The obtained results indicate the P(4ClAni)/CuO composites were sucessfuly fabricated with novel characteristics that can be applied in flexible optical devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the impact of the ion beam on the properties of composite PEO/NiO, which was fabricated using the solution casting method and applied in advanced dielectric applications. The samples were exposed to ion beam at different fluencies (5 × 1016, 10 × 1016, and 15 × 1016 ions/cm2) using cold cathode ion source. The structure of the pure and treated PEO/NiO films was studied using the XRD technique, which demonstrated the successful fabrication of the composite PEO/NiO. Moreover, the morphological changes were analyzed by SEM, which indicates the homogeneous distribution of NiO in PEO. Furthermore, the dielectric characteristics of PEO/NiO films were tested at a frequency range of 40–106 Hz. The dielectric constant enhanced from 22.8 for PEO/NiO to 128.5 for the irradiated 15 × 1016 ions/cm2, and the energy density enhanced from 1.1x10−4 to 5.6x10−4 J/m3. The results demonstrate that the irradiated PEO/NiO composite exhibits novel dielectric properties, allowing the use of the irradiated PEO/NiO composite in different devices as super-capacitors and batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cold cathode plasma source is constructed for modifying PTFE surface characteristics. The source was easily built, had a consistent plasma discharge medium and acceleration system. A cylindrical Langmuir probe is also used to evaluate plasma parameters like density, temperature or even plasma potential. This probe is designed to be moveable so that it may approach any desired position in the plasma volume. The influences of nitrogen pressure and probe-cathode gap on plasma parameters were investigated. The electron temperature T e fluctuated from 7. 7 3 × 1 0 4 to 6. 8 × 1 0 4 eV as the pressure rises from 0.2 to 0.4 mbar. Further, by increasing the cathode-probe gap from 0.4 to 2 cm, the electron densities increased from 0. 4 6 × 1 0 1 0 cm − 3 to 0. 8 9 × 1 0 1 0 cm − 3 . Furthermore, the contact angles, work of adhesion and surface free-energy of pristine as well as irradiated PTFE films, were estimated. The results demonstrated that by extending the plasma exposure duration from 0 to 12 min, the water contact angle is lowered from 82.2∘ to 30.5∘. At these conditions, the work of adhesion is raised from 81.9 to 134.1 mJ/m2, as the surface free energy is increased from 29.8 to 71.8 mJ/m2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was mixed with concentration of 5%, 7.5%, and 10% of manganese dioxide (MnO2) to form PVA/MnO2 films using solution cast approach method. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) verified that the nanomaterials films were successfully fabricated. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) illustrates the uniform MnO2 dispersion within the PVA host matrix. Additionally, the influence of MnO2 on the optical properties is recorded. The refractive index (n0) is improved by adding MnO2, from 1.29 for PVA to 1.87 for PVA/5%MnO2 and 2.86 for PVA/10%MnO2. The PVA had a dispersion energy of 2.53 eV, while PVA with 5% MnO2 had 4.86 eV, PVA with 7.5% MnO2 had 5.74 eV, and PVA with 10%MnO2 had 7.12 eV. In addition, the oscillation energy E0 decreased from 3.79 for PVA to 1.94, 1.72, and 0.99 eV, respectively for PVA/5%MnO2, PVA/7.5%MnO2, and PVA/10%MnO2. It is evident from the data that the incorporation of MnO2 to the PVA polymer alters its optical properties. This proved the existence of strong interactions of PVA and MnO2 due to the modification of the PVA/MnO2 electronic structure. Moreover, the plasma frequency W p value increased from 0.79 × 1013 s−1 for PVA to 2.06 × 1013 s−1 for PVA/10%MnO2. These shifts in W p provided the polarization is modified for the PVA/MnO2. The results obtained in this study provide evidence of the advantages associated with the utilization of MnO2 nanoparticles as a filler of improved polymeric structures. These findings also propose the potential suitability of MnO2 nanoparticles for application in the field of optics and electronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work highlights testing the polymer nanocomposite for hydrogen gas production from wastewater (sewage water). The in‐situ polymerization technique is used to prepare polypyrrole (PPy) and PPy/NiOx nanocomposite films on a glass substrate. The film's ability to generate hydrogen from sewage water is then evaluated. The XRD and XPS confirmed the formation of two types of NiOX: NiO and Ni2O3. The optical property of the composite is greater than the polymer under the insertion of NiOx as a core for the polymer coating shell, in which the band gap values are 2.25 and 1.81 eV, respectively. The TEM confirmed the PPy/NiOx core‐shell formation, in which the polymer shell (20 nm) coated the NiOX core (170 nm). The electrochemical testing for H2 gas production is carried out through a three‐electrode cell. The effect of light on/off, wavelengths, and temperature on the H2 production is applied. Under off/on light, the produced current density (Jph) value is enhanced from 5 to 16 μA, respectively. The effect of monochromatic light: 440, 540, and 730 nm are tested, and the produced Jph values are −1.28, −1.16, and −1.14 μA cm−2, respectively. In which, the decreasing Jph value with increasing of the monochromatic light confirmed the behavior of the photoelectrode under different optical regions. The Jph values increase from −1.6 to −5.8 μA cm−2 with a rise in temperature from 30 to 55°C. Moreover, enthalpy (ΔH*), activation energy (Ea), and entropy (ΔS*) of thermodynamic processes are determined using the photoelectrode response at different temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]