Showing papers on "Absorption spectroscopy published in 2015"

Reversible photo-induced trap formation in mixed-halide hybrid perovskites for photovoltaics

Abstract: We report on reversible, light-induced transformations in (CH3NH3)Pb(BrxI1−x)3. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra of these perovskites develop a new, red-shifted peak at 1.68 eV that grows in intensity under constant, 1-sun illumination in less than a minute. This is accompanied by an increase in sub-bandgap absorption at ∼1.7 eV, indicating the formation of luminescent trap states. Light soaking causes a splitting of X-ray diffraction (XRD) peaks, suggesting segregation into two crystalline phases. Surprisingly, these photo-induced changes are fully reversible; the XRD patterns and the PL and absorption spectra revert to their initial states after the materials are left for a few minutes in the dark. We speculate that photoexcitation may cause halide segregation into iodide-rich minority and bromide-enriched majority domains, the former acting as a recombination center trap. This instability may limit achievable voltages from some mixed-halide perovskite solar cells and could have implications for the photostability of halide perovskites used in optoelectronics.

Transformation of the Excited State and Photovoltaic Efficiency of CH3NH3PbI3 Perovskite upon Controlled Exposure to Humidified Air

Abstract: Humidity has been an important factor, in both negative and positive ways, in the development of perovskite solar cells and will prove critical in the push to commercialize this exciting new photovoltaic technology. The interaction between CH(3)NH(3)PbI(3) and H(2)O vapor is investigated by characterizing the ground-state and excited-state optical absorption properties and probing morphology and crystal structure. These undertakings reveal that H(2)O exposure does not simply cause CH(3)NH(3)PbI(3) to revert to PbI(2). It is shown that, in the dark, H(2)O is able to complex with the perovskite, forming a hydrate product similar to (CH(3)NH(3))(4)PbI(6)·2H(2)O. This causes a decrease in absorption across the visible region of the spectrum and a distinct change in the crystal structure of the material. Femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopic measurements show the effect that humidity has on the ultrafast excited state dynamics of CH(3)NH(3)PbI(3). More importantly, the deleterious effects of humidity on complete solar cells, specifically on photovoltaic efficiency and stability, are explored in the light of these spectroscopic understandings.

Laboratory confirmation of C60+ as the carrier of two diffuse interstellar bands

Abstract: Laboratory measurements of the gas-phase spectrum of C60+ confirm that the diffuse interstellar bands observed at 9,632 angstroms and 9,577 angstroms arise as a result of C60+ in the interstellar medium. Lick Observatory astronomer Mary Lea Heger first observed what were to be called 'diffuse interstellar bands' in 1919. These are absorption lines seen towards reddened stars, and although hundreds are now known, until now none of the molecules giving rise to them have been conclusively identified. In 1994, Bernard Foing and Pascale Ehrenfreund reported two diffuse interstellar bands with wavelengths close to those of the absorption bands of fullerene C60+ measured in a neon matrix. A more certain identification awaited the gas-phase spectrum of C60+. John P. Maier and colleagues now present laboratory measurements of the gas-phase spectrum of C60+ and confirm that the diffuse interstellar bands that Foing and Ehrenfreund observed do arise from C60+. As C60 has already been detected in various nebulae by detection of its infrared spectrum, this new observation in the Milky Way can only add to current interest in the role of astronomical fullerenes. The diffuse interstellar bands are absorption lines seen towards reddened stars1. None of the molecules responsible for these bands have been conclusively identified2. Two bands at 9,632 angstroms and 9,577 angstroms were reported in 1994, and were suggested to arise from C60+ molecules (ref. 3), on the basis of the proximity of these wavelengths to the absorption bands of C60+ measured in a neon matrix4. Confirmation of this assignment requires the gas-phase spectrum of C60+. Here we report laboratory spectroscopy of C60+ in the gas phase, cooled to 5.8 kelvin. The absorption spectrum has maxima at 9,632.7 ± 0.1 angstroms and 9,577.5 ± 0.1 angstroms, and the full widths at half-maximum of these bands are 2.2 ± 0.2 angstroms and 2.5 ± 0.2 angstroms, respectively. We conclude that we have positively identified the diffuse interstellar bands at 9,632 angstroms and 9,577 angstroms as arising from C60+ in the interstellar medium.

Hierarchical Ni-Mo-S nanosheets on carbon fiber cloth: A flexible electrode for efficient hydrogen generation in neutral electrolyte.

Abstract: A unique functional electrode made of hierarchal Ni-Mo-S nanosheets with abundant exposed edges anchored on conductive and flexible carbon fiber cloth, referred to as Ni-Mo-S/C, has been developed through a facile biomolecule-assisted hydrothermal method. The incorporation of Ni atoms in Mo-S plays a crucial role in tuning its intrinsic catalytic property by creating substantial defect sites as well as modifying the morphology of Ni-Mo-S network at atomic scale, resulting in an impressive enhancement in the catalytic activity. The Ni-Mo-S/C electrode exhibits a large cathodic current and a low onset potential for hydrogen evolution reaction in neutral electrolyte (pH ~7), for example, current density of 10 mA/cm2 at a very small overpotential of 200 mV. Furthermore, the Ni-Mo-S/C electrode has excellent electrocatalytic stability over an extended period, much better than those of MoS2/C and Pt plate electrodes. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and x-ray absorption spectroscopy were used to understand the formation process and electrocatalytic properties of Ni-Mo-S/C. The intuitive comparison test was designed to reveal the superior gas-evolving profile of Ni-Mo-S/C over that of MoS2/C, and a laboratory-scale hydrogen generator was further assembled to demonstrate its potential application in practical appliances.

Green Synthesis of Fluorescent Carbon Dots for Selective Detection of Tartrazine in Food Samples

Abstract: A simple, economical, and green method for the preparation of water-soluble, high-fluorescent carbon quantum dots (C-dots) has been developed via hydrothermal process using aloe as a carbon source. The synthesized C-dots were characterized by atomic force microscope (AFM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), fluorescence spectrophotometer, UV–vis absorption spectra as well as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results reveal that the as-prepared C-dots were spherical shape with an average diameter of 5 nm and emit bright yellow photoluminescence (PL) with a quantum yield of approximately 10.37%. The surface of the C-dots was rich in hydroxyl groups and presented various merits including high fluorescent quantum yield, excellent photostability, low toxicity and satisfactory solubility. Additionally, we found that one of the widely used synthetic food colorants, tartrazine, could result in a strong fluorescence quenching of the C-dots through a static quenching process. The decrease of ...

Probing Interlayer Interactions in Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Heterostructures by Optical Spectroscopy: MoS2/WS2 and MoSe2/WSe2.

Abstract: We have applied optical absorption spectroscopy to investigate van der Waals heterostructures formed of pairs of monolayer transition metal dichalcogenide crystals, choosing MoS2/WS2 and MoSe2/WSe2 as test cases. In the heterostructure spectra, we observe a significant broadening of the excitonic transitions compared to the corresponding features in the isolated layers. The broadening is interpreted as a lifetime effect arising from decay of excitons initially created in either layer through charge transfer processes expected for a staggered band alignment. The measured spectral broadening of 20 meV – 35 meV implies lifetimes for charge separation of the near band-edge A and B excitons in the range of 20–35 fs. Higher-lying transitions exhibit still greater broadening.

The solvation of electrons by an atmospheric-pressure plasma

Abstract: Free, or solvated, electrons in a solution are known to form at the interface between a liquid and a gas. Here, the authors use absorption spectroscopy in a total internal reflection geometry to probe solvated electrons generated at a plasma in contact with the surface of an aqueous solution

Evidence from in Situ X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy for the Involvement of Terminal Disulfide in the Reduction of Protons by an Amorphous Molybdenum Sulfide Electrocatalyst

Abstract: The reduction of protons into dihydrogen is important because of its potential use in a wide range of energy applications. The preparation of efficient and cheap catalysts for this reaction is one of the issues that need to be tackled to allow the widespread use of hydrogen as an energy carrier. In this paper, we report the study of an amorphous molybdenum sulfide (MoSx) proton reducing electrocatalyst under functional conditions, using in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy. We probed the local and electronic structures of both the molybdenum and sulfur elements for the as prepared material as well as the precatalytic and catalytic states. The as prepared material is very similar to MoS3 and remains unmodified under functional conditions (pH = 2 aqueous HNO3) in the precatalytic state (+0.3 V vs RHE). In its catalytic state (-0.3 V vs RHE), the film is reduced to an amorphous form of MoS2 and shows spectroscopic features that indicate the presence of terminal disulfide units. These units are formed concomitantly with the release of hydrogen, and we suggest that the rate-limiting step of the HER is the reduction and protonation of these disulfide units. These results show the implication of terminal disulfide chemical motifs into HER driven by transition-metal sulfides and provide insight into their reaction mechanism.

Atomic Structure of Pt3Ni Nanoframe Electrocatalysts by in Situ X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy.

Abstract: Understanding the atomic structure of a catalyst is crucial to exposing the source of its performance characteristics. It is highly unlikely that a catalyst remains the same under reaction conditions when compared to as-synthesized. Hence, the ideal experiment to study the catalyst structure should be performed in situ. Here, we use X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) as an in situ technique to study Pt3Ni nanoframe particles which have been proven to be an excellent electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The surface characteristics of the nanoframes were probed through electrochemical hydrogen underpotential deposition and carbon monoxide electrooxidation, which showed that nanoframe surfaces with different structure exhibit varying levels of binding strength to adsorbate molecules. It is well-known that Pt-skin formation on Pt–Ni catalysts will enhance ORR activity by weakening the binding energy between the surface and adsorbates. Ex situ and in situ XAS results reveal that nanoframes...

Effect of pH on Crystal Size and Photoluminescence Property of ZnO Nanoparticles Prepared by Chemical Precipitation Method

Abstract: The effects of pH value on crystal size and optical property of zinc oxide nanoparticles prepared by chemical precipitation method were investigated. Prepared samples have been characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, ultraviolet–visible spectrometer and photoluminescence spectrometer. From X-ray diffraction profile, it is found that the particle size of sample increases from 13.8 to 33 nm when the pH value of the solution was increased from 6 to 13. Microstructural study also shows that the particle size increases with pH value. Hexagonal shape of the zinc oxide nanoparticle has been confirmed by the scanning electron microscopy image. The recorded ultraviolet–visible spectrum shows excitonic absorption peaks around 381 nm. The energy gap of the prepared samples has been determined from the ultraviolet–visible absorption spectrum, effective mass model equation and Tauc’s relation. It was found that the energy gap of the prepared samples decreases with increase in pH value. The recorded blue shift confirmed the quantum confinement effect in the prepared zinc oxide samples. Photoluminescence spectrum infers that the increase in pH value shifts the ultraviolet–visible emission but not the violet and green emissions.

Probing the transition state region in catalytic CO oxidation on Ru

Abstract: Femtosecond x-ray laser pulses are used to probe the carbon monoxide (CO) oxidation reaction on ruthenium (Ru) initiated by an optical laser pulse. On a time scale of a few hundred femtoseconds, the optical laser pulse excites motions of CO and oxygen (O) on the surface, allowing the reactants to collide, and, with a transient close to a picosecond (ps), new electronic states appear in the OK-edge x-ray absorption spectrum. Density functional theory calculations indicate that these result from changes in the adsorption site and bond formation between CO and O with a distribution of OC-O bond lengths close to the transition state (TS). After 1 ps, 10% of the CO populate the TS region, which is consistent with predictions based on a quantum oscillator model.

Iron-doping-enhanced photoelectrochemical water splitting performance of nanostructured WO3: a combined experimental and theoretical study.

Abstract: In this paper, we have studied Fe-doping of nanostructured tungsten trioxide (WO3) and its pronounced effect in promoting the photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting performance. Vertically aligned Fe-doped WO3 nanoflakes on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) were synthesized via the hydrothermal method. An X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis confirmed the Fe3+ substitution at the W6+ site in the prepared films. Broadened visible light absorption was observed in doped films, likely due to the formation of extra band states through doping. The Fe-doping was shown to greatly improve the PEC water splitting performance of WO3. More specifically, the 2 mol% Fe-doped WO3 achieved a photocurrent density of 0.88 mA cm−2 at 1.23 V versus RHE, approximately 30% higher than that of the undoped WO3 (0.69 mA cm−2 at 1.23 V versus RHE). This enhancement was attributed to the reduced band gap and the doping-enhanced charge carrier density as confirmed by the absorption spectra and the Mott–Schottky plots, respectively. Finally, first-principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirmed that the formation of oxygen vacancies was favored after Fe-doping, contributing to the increased charge carrier density in slightly doped films.

Terahertz dual-band metamaterial absorber based on graphene/MgF(2) multilayer structures.

Abstract: We design an ultra-thin terahertz metamaterial absorber based on graphene/MgF2 multilayer stacking unit cells arrayed on an Au film plane and theoretically demonstrate a dual-band total absorption effect. Due to strong anisotropic permittivity, the graphene/MgF2 multilayer unit cells possess a hyperbolic dispersion. The strong electric and magnetic dipole resonances between unit cells make the impedance of the absorber match to that of the free space, which induces two total absorption peaks in terahertz range. These absorption peaks are insensitive to the polarization and nearly omnidirectional for the incident angle. But the absorption intensity and frequency depend on material and geometric parameters of the multilayer structure. The absorbed electromagnetic waves are finally converted into heat and, as a result, the absorber shows a good nanosecond photothermal effect.

A new method for the determination of optical band gap and the nature of optical transitions in semiconductors

Abstract: A new method (named as DASF: Derivation of absorption spectrum fitting) is proposed for the determination of optical band gap and the nature of optical transitions in semiconductors; this method only requires the measurement of the absorbance spectrum of the sample, avoiding any needs to film thickness or any other parameters. In this approach, starting from absorption spectrum fitting (ASF) procedure and by the first derivation of the absorbance spectrum, the optical band gap and then the type of optical transition can be determined without any presumption about the nature of transition. DASF method was employed on (60−x)V2O5–40TeO2–xAg2O glassy systems (hereafter named as TVAgx), in order to confirm the validity of this new method. For the present glasses, the DASF results were compared with the results of ASF procedure for, confirming a very good agreement between these approaches. These glasses were prepared by using the melt quenching and blowing methods to obtain bulk and film samples, respectively. Results show that the optical band gap variation for TVAgx glasses can be divided into two regions, 0 ≤ x ≤ 20 and 20 ≤ x ≤ 40 mol%. The optical band gap has a maximum value equal to 2.72 eV for x = 40 and the minimum value equal to 2.19 eV for x = 40. Also, some physical quantities such as the width of the band tails (Urbach energy), glass density, molar volume, and optical basicity were reported for the under studied glasses.

Highly efficient photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes by Cu doped ZnO nanostructures.

Abstract: Copper doped ZnO nanostructures have been synthesized by a facile wet chemical method. Structural properties of as-synthesized nanomaterials have been studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, while UV-visible absorption spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy have been used to study their optical properties. Sunlight driven photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO) dyes in water was used to evaluate the photocatalytic activities of Cu doped ZnO nanostructures using UV-visible absorption spectroscopy. The results showed that there is an optimum Cu doping level which leads to the highly enhanced photocatalytic activity of Cu doped ZnO nanostructures, as compared to pure ZnO nanostructures. A mechanism for the enhanced photocatalytic activity of Cu–ZnO nanostructures is tentatively proposed. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of Cu–ZnO nanostructures is attributed to the combined effects of improved separation of photogenerated charge carriers due to optimal Cu doping in ZnO nanostructures and the formation of ZnO–CuO nanoheterojunctions.

Thermal tuning of infrared resonant absorbers based on hybrid gold-VO2 nanostructures

Abstract: Resonant absorbers based on plasmonic materials, metamaterials, and thin films enable spectrally selective absorption filters, where absorption is maximized at the resonance wavelength. By controlling the geometrical parameters of nano/microstructures and materials' refractive indices, resonant absorbers are designed to operate at wide range of wavelengths for applications including absorption filters, thermal emitters, thermophotovoltaic devices, and sensors. However, once resonant absorbers are fabricated, it is rather challenging to control and tune the spectral absorption response. Here, we propose and demonstrate thermally tunable infrared resonant absorbers using hybrid gold-vanadium dioxide (VO2) nanostructure arrays. Absorption intensity is tuned from 90% to 20% and 96% to 32% using hybrid gold-VO2 nanowire and nanodisc arrays, respectively, by heating up the absorbers above the phase transition temperature of VO2 (68 °C). Phase change materials such as VO2 deliver useful means of altering optical...

High‐Mobility ZnO Thin Film Transistors Based on Solution‐processed Hafnium Oxide Gate Dielectrics

Abstract: The properties of metal oxides with high dielectric constant (k) are being extensively studied for use as gate dielectric alternatives to silicon dioxide (SiO2). Despite their attractive properties, these high-k dielectrics are usually manufactured using costly vacuum-based techniques. In that respect, recent research has been focused on the development of alternative deposition methods based on solution-processable metal oxides. Here, the application of the spray pyrolysis (SP) technique for processing high-quality hafnium oxide (HfO2) gate dielectrics and their implementation in thin film transistors employing spray-coated zinc oxide (ZnO) semiconducting channels are reported. The films are studied by means of admittance spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, X-ray diffraction, UV–Visible absorption spectroscopy, FTIR, spectroscopic ellipsometry, and field-effect measurements. Analyses reveal polycrystalline HfO2 layers of monoclinic structure that exhibit wide band gap (≈5.7 eV), low roughness (≈0.8 nm), high dielectric constant (k ≈ 18.8), and high breakdown voltage (≈2.7 MV/cm). Thin film transistors based on HfO2/ZnO stacks exhibit excellent electron transport characteristics with low operating voltages (≈6 V), high on/off current modulation ratio (∼107) and electron mobility in excess of 40 cm2 V−1 s−1.

Investigation of black and brown carbon multiple-wavelength-dependent light absorption from biomass and fossil fuel combustion source emissions.

Abstract: Quantification of the black carbon (BC) and brown carbon (BrC) components of source emissions is critical to understanding the impact combustion aerosols have on atmospheric light absorption. Multiple-wavelength absorption was measured from fuels including wood, agricultural biomass, coals, plant matter, and petroleum distillates in controlled combustion settings. Filter-based absorption measurements were corrected and compared to photoacoustic absorption results. BC absorption was segregated from the total light extinction to estimate the BrC absorption from individual sources. Results were compared to elemental carbon (EC)/organic carbon (OC) concentrations to determine composition's impact on light absorption. Multiple-wavelength absorption coefficients, Angstrom exponent (6.9 to 0.9 OC/TC), source emissions have variable absorption spectra, and nonbiomass combustion sources can be significant contributors to BrC.

Highly sensitive detection of methane by near-infrared laser absorption spectroscopy using a compact dense-pattern multipass cell

Abstract: Highly sensitive detection of atmospheric methane (CH4) was performed by long optical pathlength absorption spectroscopy based on a novel compact dense-pattern multipass cell (DP-MPC) in conjunction with a fiber-coupled distributed feedback diode laser operating at 1.653 μm. Wavelength modulation spectroscopy approach was used and a minimum detectable concentration (1σ) of 100 ppb was obtained with a lock-in time constant of 1 ms. A measurement precision of

Metal-dielectric-metal based narrow band absorber for sensing applications.

Abstract: We have investigated numerically the narrowband absorption property of a metal-dielectric-metal based structure which includes a top metallic nanoring arrays, a metal backed plate, and a middle dielectric spacer. Its absorption is up to 90% with linewidth narrower than 10 nm. This can be explained in terms of surface lattice resonance of the periodic structure. The spectrum with the sharp absorption dip, i.e. the lattice resonance, strongly depends on the refractive index of media surrounding the nanorings. This feature can be explored to devise a refractive index sensor, of which the bulk sensitivity factor is one order larger than that based on gap resonance mode, while the surface sensitivity factor can be two times larger. The proposed narrowband absorber has potential in applications of plasmonic biosensors.

Visible light induced photocatalysis on CdS quantum dots decorated TiO2 nanotube arrays

Abstract: CdS quantum dots (QDs) have been successfully deposited on TiO 2 nanotube arrays (TNTAs) by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method for visible-light-driven hydrogen production and organic compound degradation. The composition, morphology and optical property have been characterized by the X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV–vis absorption spectra. The loading amount of CdS can be adjusted by controlling the deposition cycles which demonstrates correspondingly optical behaviors. CdS-TNTAs sample prepared by SILAR deposition with 15 cycles gives the highest hydrogen production rate of 1.89 μmol h −1 cm −2 for 15 mL solutions and the highest degrading rate. Moreover, a transfer mechanism of photo-generated electrons on CdS-TNTAs during the visible-light photocatalytic process is proposed based on the experimental analysis. Furthermore, the prepared sample has good stability and can be more easily reused than the powder catalyst.

Spatially resolved optical absorption spectroscopy of single- and few-layer MoS2 by hyperspectral imaging

Abstract: The possibility of spatially resolving the optical properties of atomically thin materials is especially appealing as they can be modulated at the micro- and nanoscale by reducing their thickness, changing the doping level or applying a mechanical deformation. Therefore, optical spectroscopy techniques with high spatial resolution are necessary to get a deeper insight into the properties of two-dimensional materials. Here we study the optical absorption of single- and few-layer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) in the spectral range from 1.24 eV to 3.22 eV (385 nm to 1000 nm) by developing a hyperspectral imaging technique that allows one to probe the optical properties with diffraction limited spatial resolution. We find hyperspectral imaging very suited to study indirect bandgap semiconductors, unlike photoluminescence that only provides high luminescence yield for direct gap semiconductors. Moreover, this work opens the door to study the spatial variation of the optical properties of other two-dimensional systems, including non-semiconducting materials where scanning photoluminescence cannot be employed.

Preparation of Few-Layer Bismuth Selenide by Liquid-Phase-Exfoliation and Its Optical Absorption Properties

Abstract: Bismuth selenide (Bi2Se3), a new topological insulator, has attracted much attention in recent years owing to its relatively simple band structure and large bulk band gap. Compared to bulk, few-layer Bi2Se3 is recently considered as a highly promising material. Here, we use a liquid-phase exfoliation method to prepare few-layer Bi2Se3 in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone or chitosan acetic solution. The resulted few-layer Bi2Se3 dispersion demonstrates an interesting absorption in the visible light region, which is different from bulk Bi2Se3 without any absorption in this region. The absorption spectrum of few-layer Bi2Se3 depends on its size and layer number. At the same time, the nonlinear and saturable absorption of few-layer Bi2Se3 thin film in near infrared is also characterized well and further exploited to generate laser pulses by a passive Q-switching technique. Stable Q-switched operation is achieved with a lower pump threshold of 9.3 mW at 974 nm, pulse energy of 39.8 nJ and a wide range of pulse-repetition-rate from 6.2 to 40.1 kHz. Therefore, the few-layer Bi2Se3 may excite a potential applications in laser photonics and optoelectronic devices.

Two-dimensional gold nanostructures with high activity for selective oxidation of carbon-hydrogen bonds

Abstract: Efficient synthesis of stable two-dimensional (2D) noble metal catalysts is a challenging topic. Here we report the facile synthesis of 2D gold nanosheets via a wet chemistry method, by using layered double hydroxide as the template. Detailed characterization with electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy demonstrates that the nanosheets are negatively charged and [001] oriented with thicknesses varying from single to a few atomic layers. X-ray absorption spectroscopy reveals unusually low gold-gold coordination numbers. These gold nanosheets exhibit high catalytic activity and stability in the solvent-free selective oxidation of carbon-hydrogen bonds with molecular oxygen.

Tuning the absorption of ultraviolet spectra and optical parameters of aluminum doped PVA based solid polymer composites

Abstract: In this research work PVA:xAl (0.01 ≤ x ≤ 0.05) based solid polymer composites have been prepared by solution cast technique. The transmittances of the samples are decreased with increasing Al powder concentration. The absorption spectra of the samples are shifted to higher wavelengths which indicate their importance for shielding. The increase of absorption intensity in UV region was observed. The clear shift of absorption edge upon the addition of Al powder content indicated the decrease of energy band gap. The increase of extinction coefficient at high wavelengths for the samples containing Al powder revealed the loss of photon energy. The refractive indexes of the doped samples are increased compared to that of pure PVA. The linear relationship between the refractive index and volume fraction indicates a good dispersion of Al powder in PVA host polymer. The direct optical band gap measured from the plot of (αhυ)2 versus photon energy (hυ) showed a decreasing trend with increase of Al content. The Urbach energy was found to increase with increasing aluminum concentration. The complex optical dielectric functions were used to determine the type of electron transition.