Synthesis of low cost transparent polymer/plants extracts composites films: structural, dielectric and optical characteristics for flexible antibacterial and radiation shielding applications

• Published in: Optical and quantum electronics Vol. 55; no. 8
• Main Authors: Hamad, Zinah Sattar, Al-Isawi, Nassar A., Hashim, Ahmed
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.08.2023; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Absorptivity; Attenuation; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemical synthesis; Composite materials; Computer Communication Networks; Corrosion resistance; Electrical Engineering; Energy gap; Gamma rays; Lasers; Optical Devices; Optical properties; Optics; Photonics; Physics; Physics and Astronomy; Polymers; Polyvinyl alcohol; Radiation shielding; Refractivity; Plants extracts; Composites; PVA; Antibacterial; Shielding; Optical parameters
• ISSN: 0306-8919; 1572-817X
• DOI: 10.1007/s11082-023-05052-9

In this work, fabrication of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/plants extracts (Laurus nobilis, Calyptus, Bember) biodegradable composites bio-films for antibacterial, gamma ray shielding and UV-shielding has been investigated with few cost, elevated corrosion resistance, lightweight, good antibacterial activity and good absorption for high photon energy compared of other films. The FTIR, optical and A.C electrical characterizations of PVA/plant extracts composites were studied. The results of dielectric characterization indicated to improve the dielectric parameters (ε′, ε″ and σ A.C ) with rise in plants extracts ratios. The results of optical characterization for biodegradable composites give that the absorption, extinction coefficient, absorption coefficient, dielectric constants, refractive index, optical conductivity of polymer rise while transmission and energy gap reduced with rising of plants extracts ratios. The absorbance increases about 69.2% at λ = 220 nm while the energy gap reduces about 47.6% with adding of 20 vol% of the plants extracts. The antibacterial testing for PVA/plant extracts composites indicated to the good antibacterial performance of composites samples. Also, the composites tested for gamma ray attenuation which showed the PVA/plant extracts composites have good attenuation for gamma ray. Finally, results showed that PVA/plants extracts composites can be used for antibacterial, gamma ray attenuation and UV-shielding applications with good flexibility and excellent efficiency.