Preparation, structural and optical studies of flexible PE/Bi₂O3 polymeric nanocomposite materials for electronic applications

In this work, the PE/Bi₂O₃ composite, which made of polyethylene (PE) and bismuth oxide (Bi₂O₃) with varying concentrations of Bi₂O₃ were prepared using the solution casting process. The results of the X-ray photoelectron (XPS), Raman and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) indicate the successful manufacturing of the PE/Bi₂O₃ composite films. By applying the Tauc relation, the optical characteristics of PE/Bi₂O₃ films were determined in wavelength of 200 to 2000 nm. The band gap energy decreased from 4.21 eV for PE to 3.99 eV, 3.60 eV, and 3.50 eV, respectively, for PE/1%Bi₂O_3, PE/2%Bi₂O_3, and PE/3%Bi₂O₃, while the absorbance edge reduced by 1.62 eV with 3% Bi₂O₃. The dispersion energy enhanced from 2.56 eV for PE to 2.91 eV for PE/3%Bi₂O₃, while the oscillator energies changed from 4.45 eV to 4.22 eV. The results showed the optical properties of PE/Bi₂O₃ were modified by of Bi₂O₃, which can be use these composites in flexible photodetectors, and UV shielding. These nanocomposites offer promising potential for use in bendable photonic circuits, flexible sensors, smart windows, and nonlinear optical devices.