Boosting the structural, optical and AC electrical characteristics of PVA/CdTe nanocomposites for flexible smart optoelectronic devices

Abstract

This research intends to create cadmium telluride nanoparticles (CdTe NPs) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanocomposites using the casting process to improve structural, AC electrical, and optical properties. To characterize the films, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy, and alternating current (AC) electrical characteristics are implemented. The FTIR study indicates a complicated interaction between the PVA matrix and CdTe nanoparticles. The optical band gap diminishes and absorbance increases with higher concentrations of CdTe nanoparticles in the PVA matrix. Further improvements have been made to the polymer films' extinction factor, reflecting index, optical conductivity, and dielectric properties. The dielectric constant and dielectric loss increased with the frequency and concentration of CdTe nanoparticles, according to the AC electrical properties. Conversely, the electrical conductivity of AC current rises with the frequency and concentration of CdTe nanoparticles, increasing by 55.02% at a frequency of 100 Hz. Ultimately, these findings indicate that the PVA/CdTe nanocomposite is applicable in photodetector devices.