Improving the Optical, Mechanical and Dielectric Properties of PMMA: Mg1−xCuxO Based Polymer Nanocomposites

The aim of the presented work is to study the optical, mechanical and dielectric properties of Poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) filled with Mg1−xCuxO, 0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.2 synthesized in the form of casted films. Structures of the prepared powder and films were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), where the recorded pattern reveals the existence of cubic phase structure for Mg1−xCuxO powder and films. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra confirmed that Mg0.9Cu0.1O nanoparticles were successfully incorporated into the PMMA. The morphology of the nanocomposite films was studied using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). Well dispersion of Mg1−xCuxO nanoparticles in the PMMA matrix and formation of some cluster were observed. The optical properties of the prepared nanocomposite films were performed by means of UV–Vis technique. The absorption coefficient, optical energy band gap, extinction coefficient and the refractive index of the casted films were calculated. The results showed a decrease in optical energy band gap, and an increase of absorption coefficient, extinction coefficient and refractive index with increasing the percentage ratio of Cu in PMMA matrix. There is an enhancement in mechanical properties. The microhardness increases as the Cu content increases up to x = 0.15 wt% after that it decreases. The tensile strength was measured and raised from 23.87 to 43.30 MPa with increasing the Cu content up to x = 0.10 after that it decreases. Finally, the permittivity (ε′) and dielectric loss (ε″) were decreased as the frequency increased but (ε′) became nearly constant at higher frequency range. Moreover, ε′ and tan δ increased as the Cu content increases. Also the AC conductivity was measured to study the conduction mechanism in the presented nanocomposite films. The calculated dc conductivity was increased as the Cu content in PMMA matrix increased.