The WS 2 dependence on the elasticity and optical band gap energies of swollen PAAm composites

Abstract

New generation nano-filler polymer composites have many applications including biomedical, electronic and maritime related applications because of their mechanical, electronic and optical properties. The properties of composites were investigated as a function of nano-filler content. Among these, tungsten disulfide (WS₂) has the potential to be used as a component in electronic devices owing to its high electron mobility and easily tunable optical band gap energy. Tungsten disulfide (WS₂)- Polyacrylamide (PAAm) composite was prepared using free radical co-polymerization and wet laboratory methods with WS₂ content. Composites were characterized for mechanical and optical properties using an Elasticity Instrument and UV-vis Spectrophotometer, respectively. Elastic modulus was modeled by a statistical thermodynamics model. Tauc’s and Urbach’s Tail model for direct transition were used to model for the optical band gap. In this study, the swelling and WS₂ effect on the optical band gap and elasticity of WS₂ - PAAm composites were investigated. It was observed that the elasticity presented a reversed behavior of optical band gap energies with respect to WS₂ content. For the applications of nano-filler doped polymer composites in flexible electronic devices, WS₂ content strongly influences the mechanical and optical properties.