Effect of CuO nanofiller on PVA/PVP blend.

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) (50/50) blends filled with various concentrations of Copper Oxide (CuO) nanofiller (0, 2 and 4 wt %) were prepared using solvent casting technique. The structural properties were carried out using XRD. The UV Visible studies reveal that the direct energy gap values declines with an increase in CuO nanofiller concentration in the blend. The surface morphology studies were carried out using atomic force microscope (AFM). The photoluminescence spectra measured at an excitation wavelength of 220 nm reveals that the intensity of the spectra increases with filler concentration.The mechanical properties measured using Universal testing machine (UTM) indicates enhancement in the properties upon addition of CuO nanofiller. These significant enhancements in the optical and mechanical properties of the blend upon addition of CuO nanofillers make it a potential material for device applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]