Silver-polyvinyl alcohol (Ag-PVA) nanocomposite films were synthesized using a wet casting technique, incorporating silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) at concentrations of 0.2, 0.5, and 1.0 wt%. XRD confirmed the incorporation of face-centered cubic AgNPs, with reduced PVA crystallinity at higher Ag concentrations. XPS confirmed the chemical composition, and FE-SEM/AFM showed uniform dispersion at lower concentrations, transitioning to agglomeration at 1.0 wt%. with average particle size distribution of 150 nm. Nanoindentation revealed improved mechanical properties, peaking at 0.5 wt% Ag. Electrical conductivity reached its maximum value of 5 × 10−11 S/ cm at 0.5 wt%, driven by optimal nanoparticle dispersion. Dielectric analysis showed frequency-dependent changes. Modified diffusion-limited aggregation modelling illustrated microstructural evolution. The study highlights the importance of nanoparticle dispersion in enhancing Ag-PVA properties for advanced applications.
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