A Studies on PVA/MAA:EA polymer blend films modified by Fe3+ doping

Abstract Pristine and Fe (1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0 mol%) doped PVA/MAA:EA polymer blend films were prepared by solution casting method and characterized by various techniques. TGA analysis validates the occurrence of three distinct weight loss phases attributed to the removal of volatile substances from both the surface and interior of the material, as well as the decomposition of the polymer. X-ray diffraction (XRD) investigations validate a decrease in crystallinity as the dopant concentration increases. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs show uniform morphology. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum exhibits bands characteristic of stretching and bending vibrations of O–H, C–H, C = C and C–O groups and the changes in the spectrum with dopant concentration show the miscibility of dopant with the polymer blend. The UV-visible spectra demonstrate. that there is A downturn of the optical band gap increases as the concentration of Fe rises and exhibit absorption bands corresponding to the transitions ⁶A1g→⁴A1g and ⁶A1g→⁴T2g of Fe³⁺ ions in distorted octahedral symmetry. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra exhibit resonance signal around g = 2.12, attributed to the Fe³⁺ ions in the distorted octahedral environment and signal around g = 6.8, attributed to the number of spins engaged in the resonance is determined through EPR analysis in an environment exhibiting proximity to rhombic symmetry. The measurement is conducted as a function of dopant concentration and the paramagnetic susceptibility. The conductivity of Fe³⁺ ions doped PVA/MAA:EA polymer blend films increases with an increase in Fe³⁺ concentration, which is explained in terms of an increase in the amorphic.