Microstructure and Dispersion Parameters of Hybrid PMMA/(TiO2-ZrC) Electrospun Nanofibers for Optoelectronics and Antimicrobials Purposes

Abstract

The method of solution electrospinning under the main conditions of 13 kV, 0.5 mL per h flow rate, and collector rotating 250 per min was used to fabricate PMMA composite nanofibers using mixed (TiO₂-ZrC) nanomaterials (1:1 wt.%) as a filler in varying concentrations: 2, 4, and 6 % to utilize in futuristic photonics applications. FTIR results confirm strong interactions between the PMMA matrix and (TiO₂-ZrC). Morphological analysis performed through FESEM confirmed the average diameters of the nanofibers, which showcased 82.37 nm for the polymer and increased to 139.59 nm at a weight of 6 %, while their rough surfaces are transformed into smoother ones depending on the addition of nanomaterials. EDXs provide insights into the element’s composition of the PMMA encapsulating by TiO₂ and ZrC. A decrease in light transmittance in the UV region gives a positive indication of the protective action in solar cells. Increasing the TiO₂-ZrC nanoparticle content by 6 wt.% gradually improved the indirect transition band gap (  ) for the allowed and forbidden from 3.5 and 3.2 eV for the pure polymer to 2.8 and 2.18 eV. This finding is a positive indication of its use in many optoelectronic devices. The theoretical Wemple-DiDomenico model has been implemented to evaluate the refractive index (ns), the oscillation energy (Eos), and the dispersion energy (Ed). Moreover, (TiO₂-ZrC) demonstrated upper optical activity and elevated DNA decay efficiency than PMMA, validating their higher efficiency as an optical and antimicrobial agent.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Effect of (TiO₂-ZrC) ratio nanomaterial reinforced newly blended polymers-based nanocomposites.
• Allowed indirect transition band gap drops from 3.5 to 2.80 eV with additive nanomaterials.
• The inhibition zone of Staph-aureus improved up to 22 mm, making alternative traditional antibiotics.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT