Preparation and Characterization of ZrO2 - PV...

Preparation and Characterization of ZrO2 - PVA Based Nanocomposite Using Solar Cell Application

Author Name : M. N. Jothi, E. Sowmiya, S. Kokila, N. Nishanthini, M. Kasthuri

ABSTRACT

The focus of this work is to prepare Poly Vinyl Alcohol (PVA) thin film reinforced by green synthesized Zirconium nanoparticle (ZrO2). In this study a series of green and environment friendly nanocomposites were prepared using PVA and ZrO2 nanoparticles as biosafe and biocompatible agents in solar cell. PVA is a semicrystalline and water soluble polymer with non toxic, better film forming, excellent chemical resistance, biocompatible and good mechanical properties.  Among the all zirconium nanoparticles draws more attention due to its significant bio compatible, electrical, mechanical and optical properties. Polymer thin films, as active layers in PV cells correlation of chemical structure and PV properties. Polymer compounds in solar system also have certain limitations such as low efficiency and time stability. PVA - ZrO2 nanocomposite were prepared through a simple method. With the mixture of this precursors, a membrane was formed with the solvent evaporation technique (Solution Casting Technique). There are several methods for the preparation of polymer blends, but among them solution casting is very simple and rapid method. It requires simple equipment and not involved any complicated process. The prepared sample were investigated comprehensively by XRD, FTIR, SEM, UV techniques. The structural properties were evaluated using X - ray diffraction. The FTIR analysis played an important role in displaying the important functional groups present in the ZrO₂ nanoparticles. The UV has been used to find the wavelength of ZrO₂ nanoparticles. The SEM with the energy dispersive X- ray studies provided the size of and elemental composition of the synthesized ZrO₂ nanoparticles.

Keywords:  Poly Vinyl Alcohol (PVA), Zirconium nanoparticle (ZrO2), Solution Casting Technique, SEM, UV, FTIR, XRD.