Optical, mechanical and thermal properties of PMMA/graphite nanocomposite thin films

We have prepared composite thin films by incorporation of Graphite nanoparticles in PMMA matrix by using solution casting method. The effect of Graphite nanoparticle loading on optical, structural and morphological properties of the composite thin films is investigated by using different characterization methods. PMMA/Graphite nanocomposite thin films results show that both the absorption and the extinction coefficient increases, on the other hand, the transmission decreases with increase in the graphite nanoparticle loading. Both the direct optical band gap and the refractive index of the nanocomposite thin film decreases with increase in the graphite nanoparticle concentration. PL spectra show a dominant emission peak at 631 nm, the intensity of this peak decreases with graphite nanoparticle loading in PMMA matrix. The thermogravimetric and the dynamic mechanical analysis shows that the presence of graphite nanoparticle enhances the thermal stability and mechanical strength of the PMMA/Graphite nanocomposite thin films.