Study the effect of acetic acid on structural, optical and mechanical properties of PVA/chitosan/MWCNT films

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/chitosan/multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) films were successfully prepared by using solution-casting method. Structural properties were studied using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopies. The effect of acetic acid (AA) concentration on the films optical parameters was studied by using absorbance and transmittance data recorded during ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. The results indicated that increasing the AA concentration in MWCNT-reinforced PVA films caused an increase in their optical capability. We also evaluated mechanical properties such as stress-strain behavior, Young's modulus, tensile strength, elongation at break, etc. Mechanical indices have been modified by introducing carbon nanotubes, even though enhancing the AA concentration meets significant restrictions on higher percentages of AA concentration, which needs to be delicately considered. The porous structure of the films, such as porous pattern, materials' diameter, and shape was examined by field emission electron microscopy (FESEM). Engineering analyses showed that the films reinforced with MWCNTs exhibited an interconnected homogenous structure in various acid concentrations.