Synthesis and Characterization of γ-Irradiated Cadmium Sulfide/Polyvinyl Alcohol Nanocomposites Films

CdS (Cadmium Sulfide)/PVA (Polyvinyl Alcohol) nanocomposite films were prepared using a solution casting method. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that CdS nanoparticles (NPs) have particle size<20 nm. X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to check the crystal structure, grain size of CdS NPs in Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and the change in grain size of CdS with gamma-irradiation doses. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy has confirmed the dispersion of CdS NPs in PVA for fresh and gamma-irradiated films, where a substantial change in band position (OH stretching) was noted due to the interaction between CdS NPs and the host PVA polymer matrix. Conductivities (DC/AC) and dielectric properties were used to characterize the final nanocomposite films before and after gamma-irradiation with distinct doses. Upon increasing the amount of CdS NPs an increase in the dielectric constant (epsilon(1)), dielectric loss (epsilon(2)) and AC conductivity of PVA films host was observed. In addition, the DC and AC conduction of the PVA films as a polymeric host material was improved with the CdS NPs content and gamma-irradiation doses.