Advantages incorporating V2O5 nanoparticles into PMMA composite membranes for the structural, optical, electrical, and mechanical properties for conductive polymeric membrane applications

Poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) and PMMA membranes with incorporated vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) nanoparticles were prepared using the solution-casting method with different ratios of dopant (V2O5:0, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, and 3.0 wt%). The structure of the membranes was investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FT-IR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The diffraction pattern of the pure PMMA membrane demonstrates an amorphous structure, while V2O5 demonstrates an orthorhombic structure. The thermal stability of the blank PMMA is improved as the amount of V2O5 increases. Optical parameters, including the refractive index and optical bandgap energy, were calculated, and it was confirmed that with the addition of V2O5, the bandgap value changed from 4.88 eV (direct transition) to 1.32 eV (indirect transition) for the blank PMMA and 3% V2O5/PMMA, respectively. Measurement of the dielectric behavior shows that V2O5-doping of the PMMA increased the dielectric constant, dielectric loss, and impedance. Furthermore, the electrical conductivity is enhanced with the addition of V2O5. Moreover, the dynamic mechanical properties were investigated, and the storage modulus E ' has a relatively high value (similar to 1.6 GPa) at room temperature (similar to 300 K). As the temperature increases, E ' decreases drastically to 12.5% of its value at room temperature at 80 degrees C.