Fabrication of polyvinylchloride based nanocomposite thin film filled with zinc oxide nanoparticles: Morphological, thermal and optical characteristics

PVC-co-ZnO nanocomposite film was prepared by solution casting technique with different concentration of zinc oxide nanoparticle. Optical measurements showed that utilizing zinc oxide nanoparticle in polymeric matrix caused to increase of UV absorption obviously. X-ray diffraction showed polycrystalline structure with no preferred orientation for prepared nanocomposite films. Atomic force microscopy images also showed smooth surfaces for the nanocomposite films. The thermal properties investigation of prepared films revealed that utilizing ZnO nanoparticles in polymeric matrix accelerated the polymer decomposition which was assigned to catalytic behavior of zinc oxide nanoparticles. Moreover, utilizing zinc oxide nanoparticles enhanced the char yield of prepared films.