Investigation of the doping mechanism and electron transition bands of PEO/KMnO4 complex composite films

• Published in: Journal of materials science. Materials in electronics Vol. 33; no. 17; pp. 14051 - 14062
• Main Authors: Al-Bataineh, Qais M., Aljarrah, Ihsan A., Ahmad, Ahmad A., Alsaad, Ahmad M., Telfah, Ahmad
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.06.2022; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Conduction electrons; Crystal structure; Dielectric properties; Doping; Electrical resistivity; Electrolytes; Electron transitions; Energy; Energy gap; Energy levels; Glass substrates; Investigations; Materials Science; Molecular orbitals; Optical and Electronic Materials; Polyethylene; Polyethylene oxide; Polymers; Polyvinyl alcohol; Potassium; Potassium permanganate; Shielding; Spectrum analysis; Ultraviolet radiation
• ISSN: 0957-4522; 1573-482X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10854-022-08336-0

Polyethylene oxide (PEO) incorporated with potassium permanganate (KMnO 4 ) was prepared using the solution casting technique forming PEO/KMnO 4 complex composite films. The physicochemical properties, doping mechanism, and electron transition bands of PEO/KMnO 4 were investigated. Introducing KMnO 4 PEO matrix led to a decrease in crystallinity degree and optical bandgap energy due to the creation of polarons and bipolarons that form new energy levels in the bandgap between the HOMO and LUMO; in addition, to form of a new transition band appears at about 380 nm is attributed to the n - π ∗ electronic transitions are generated due to the unsaturated center of the molecules. The existence of KMnO 4 in the polymer matrix leads to the blocking of light in the 250–400 nm range. Consequently, PEO/KMnO 4 complex composite films could be used as UV-light shielding filters. Furthermore, the electrical conductivity of the PEO/KMnO 4 complex composite films increases as KMnO 4 concentration is increased in the PEO matrix since the created new energy levels in the bandgap between the HOMO and LUMO can be populated with conduction electrons providing true ohmic conduction with the delocalization of the electron densities moving on the polymer chain.