Effect of Nano Quaternary Ni_1-xZn_xFe_2-2xMn_2xO₄ on the Structural, Optical and Dielectric Characteristics of Poly(Methyl Methacrylate)/Polyethylene Oxide Blends

Abstract

Poly(methyl methacrylate)/polyethylene oxide (PMMA/PEO)/Ni_1-xZn_xFe_2-2xMn_2xO₄ blends of various composition were formed using coprecipitation and casting techniques. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was performed on the blends and fillers. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy technique revealed that the fillers had a crystallite size of 15–25 nm. The impact of Ni_1-xZn_xFe_2-2xMn_2xO₄ loading on the light absorbance, transmission, reflectance, refractive index and extinction coefficient and the dielectric constant, energy loss functions, and optical conductivity of PMMA/PEO blend was examined. The absorbance of the PMMA/PEO blend increased irregularly as it was loaded with the nanocomposite samples, and it peaked at x = 0.25. The transmittance reduced to a minimum value (28–58%) as the blend was doped with x=0.25. The PMMA/PEO blended polymer’s direct and indirect band gaps were 5.02 and 4.74 eV, respectively. As the blend was loaded with NiFe₂O₄ alone, they reached their minimum values (direct/indirect: 4.94/4.66 eV). Depending on the amounts of Zn and Mn ions in the NiFe₂O₄ doped PMMA/PEO blends, the various blends displayed a blue-violet color on their chromaticity diagram. The electrical dielectric constant, electric modulus, ac conductivity and energy density of the different blends depended on the amount of Zn and Mn ions added in the NiFe₂O₄ matrix.

Keywords:

• electrical
• Ni_1-xZn_xFe_2-2xMn_2xO₄ composites
• optical
• PEO
• PMMA
• structure

Authors’ contribution

All authors have contributed, discussed the results and approved the final manuscript.

Availability of data and materials

The authors confirm that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Researchers Supporting Project number (RSP2024R72), King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.