Impact the silver nanoparticles on properties of new fabricated polyvinyl alcohol- polyacrylamide- polyacrylic acid nanocomposites films for optoelectronics and radiation pollution applications

The impact of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) loading on the structure, optical, morphology, and dielectric features of polyvinyl alcohol_70%-polyacrylamide- polyacrylic acid_10% (PVA_70%-PAAm_20%-PAA_10%) (viz., PPP_1-xAg_x, where x = 0.00, 0.03, 0.06, and 0.08) was studied systematically and created via the solution-casting route. X-ray diffraction (XRD) data analysis affirmed the semicrystalline nature of all the produced films. The crystallite size was enhanced upon embedding. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra confirmed the charge transfer and interaction between the AgNPs and PPP. The spatial distribution of AgNPs revealed the fine dispersion and permeation of nanoclusters throughout the PPP matrix. The matrix's absorbance spectra (%A) revealed a band at 200 nm with the absorption of 0.8% that enhanced to 1% while loading caused a redshift toward high wavelengths. The indirect bandgap observed from the Tauc model for PPP is 3.8 eV, notably improved to (3.2 → 2.8 eV) with the loading of AgNPs raised from 0.03 to 0.08 in PPP_1-xAg_x composites, respectively. The frequency-dependence (f-dependence) of the electron transfer features was measured, and the results elucidated enhanced dielectric behavior upon loading nanoparticles from less than 1 to 5 × 10^–4. Interestingly, at a high AgNPs content (x = 0.08), the attenuation coefficient (α) of the Cs¹³⁷/662 keV source significantly increased (~ 80%), significantly improved from 2.2 of blend polymers to 3.8 cm⁻¹ for the higher loading ratio of AgNPs. Moreover, with increasing penetration depth (PD) and thickness, the buildup factor (BF) increased. Thus, the produced films are promising for many applications in optoelectronics and radiation pollution.