Tuning the Optical Properties of Electrospun Poly(methyl methacrylate) Nanofibres via Montmorillonite and Magnetite Ratios

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) polymer has unlocked new frontiers in the field of nanotechnology and is suitable for a wide range of applications. However, its optical band gap limits its use in optoelectronics. This study aims to ascertain the influence of varying montmorillonite and magnetite ratios on the optical properties of electrospun PMMA nanofibres produced from solution. The nanofibres were characterised using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), spectroscopic ellipsometry, and UV-Vis spectroscopy (UV-Vis). XRD analysis revealed the successful incorporation of magnetite and montmorillonite within the PMMA matrix, with diameters ranging from 203 to 328 nm. The incorporation of magnetite and montmorillonite altered the light absorption characteristics of PMMA, resulting in increased absorption in the ultraviolet and visible light regions compared to pristine PMMA and a reduction in the optical band gap from 4.9 eV to 2.5 eV. These findings suggest that PMMA is a suitable host matrix for montmorillonite and magnetite. The observed properties also indicate the suitability of the produced materials for optoelectronic applications, including chemical sensors and protective UV coatings.