Structural and Thermal Behavior Evaluation of Ag-PVA Nanocomposites Synthesized via Chemical Reduction Technique

Silver nanoparticles were prepared via process of chemical reduction using sodium borohydride as reductant. The prepared nanoparticles were then utilized for synthesizing various compositions of nanocomposites with polymeric matrix of poly (vinyl alcohol). For doing so, the nanoparticles were dispersed in the polymer solution by vigorous stirring. The solutions of the nanocomposites were cast in films. The nanocomposite films were used for various characterization techniques; out of which three are being reported in this communication; XRD, TGA/DTA and SEM. The upshot of XRD proposes a semi-crystalline nature of synthesized nanocomposite. The crystalline character of the nanocomposite enhances with an increasing doping concentration of the prepared nanoparticles. Thermal analysis suggests the degradation pattern of the polymer nanocomposite material and represents that thermal stability improves as the silver nanoparticles are added. The SEM micrograph reveals a uniform surface with a well dispersed nanoparticle in the polymer matrix.