Synthesis, structural characterization and optical studies of Fe2O3 nanoparticles based polymeric materials for flexible electronic devices

Abstract

In this work, a thin film containing a flexible polymer nanocomposite of iron oxide (Fe2O3) and poly(4-chloroaniline) P(4-ClAni) was successfully synthesized using the green polymerization fabrication method. To confirm the effective synthesis of the P(4- ClAni)/Fe2O3 nanocomposite, the XRD, SEM, and FTIR analyses were used. The SEM pictures revealed that the nanocomposite contain Fe2O3 nanoparticles distributed throughout the polymer matrix. The optical absorbance of the P(4-ClAni) and P(4-ClAni)/Fe2O3 films was measured at room temperature using a UV-vis spectrophotometer from 190 to 1150 nm. The optical properties of P(4-ClAni)/Fe2O3 films were calculated using Tauc's relation. The Urbach energy of the P(4-ClAni) increases from 0.96 eV to 1.65 eV, 1.73 eV, and 1.86 eV, respectively, when mixed with 2%, 4%, and 6% of Fe2O3. On the other hand, the band gap energy of P(4-ClAni) decreases from 3.57 eV to 3.39 eV, 3.07 eV, and 2.84 eV, respectively, with the addition of 2%, 4%, and 6% Fe2O3. Based on the results of this study, the composite P(4-ClAni)/Fe2O3 sheets can be used for flexible electronic devices.