Investigation of the Optical and Electrical Properties of Strontium Yttrium Oxide Nanocomposites Integrated with Poly (lactic acid) polymer films

In this study, we report the successful fabrication of poly (lactic acid)/strontium yttrium oxide (PLA/SrYO ₃ ) nanocomposite polymer film by solution casting technique at various concentrations. The prepared films were examined to determine the influence of nanocomposite additives on the optical and electrical properties of PLA. The successful doping and uniform distribution of nanoparticles within the PLA polymer matrix are evaluated using x-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The XRD analysis indicated that the crystalline properties of the nanocomposites enhance as the concentration of the dopant increases. Interaction between SrYO ₃ and PLA was found using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrophotometer (FTIR). Notable enhancements in intensity, along with a minor shift in peak positions, were observed in the nanocomposite-doped PLA. These observations were associated to the excellent solubility and effective dispersion of nanoparticles within the PLA polymer. The optical properties of nanocomposite films were evaluated, including absorption and extinction coefficients, optical band gap, complex refractive index (RI), dielectric functions, and optical conductivity. This assessment emphasizes the impact of dopants on the optical characteristics of PLA, indicating the possibility of alterations in the band gap. The dielectric properties, ac conductivity, and charge dissipation were found to increase with nanofiller content and decrease with frequency.