Exploring the structural, morphological, and vibration aspects of co-mg-y spinel nano-ferrite and their influence on the properties of polyvinyl alcohol film

Polymer nanocomposite films comprising polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix loading with Co_0.85Mg_0.15Fe_1.95Y_0.05O₄ (CMYFO) spinel ferrite nanoparticles (NPs) were fabricated using casting method. The as-prepared polymer films (P-CMYFO) were analysed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), an optical microscope, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, and ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer. The CMYFO spinel ferrite NPs synthesis was confirmed by XRD, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopy. Also, the P-CMYFO films’ XRD spectra confirmed the inclusion of the CMYFO NPs in the polymer matrix, besides the descending in the PVA main peak with increasing CMYFO NPs content. Moreover, the particle size of the CMYFO grew with increasing its content inside the PVA matrix. The OM shows the aggregations with high disorder in film morphology, and the particles become denser in the matrix with increasing CMYFO content. The P-CMYFO film spectrum shows a strong absorption edge in the UV-region, which is related Moreover, the transparency of the polymer film decreases gradually from 91% for the unloaded sample to about 15% for the loaded sample with a higher content of CMYFO NPs. The optical bandgap was found to decrease from 5.59 eV for the unloaded film to 4.74 eV for the loaded sample with a higher content of CMYFO NPs. The higher content of CMYFO NPs resulted in an increase in the refractive index from 1.876 to 2.041. Additionally, optical parameters like metallization criterion, optical basicity, and electronegativity showed an enhancement with the inclusion of the NPs in the polymer matrix. P-CMYFO films have intriguing optical properties that could be a viable option for optoelectronic uses.