The role of ZnO/Al2O3 concentration in tuning the microstructure and optoelectronic properties of polyethylene terephthalate-ZnO/Al2O3 nanocomposite

Ghasemifard M., Ghamari M., TAV C., YAHŞİ U.

Ceramics International, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2026.03.062
  • Dergi Adı: Ceramics International
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Chemical Abstracts Core, Compendex, INSPEC
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Nanocomposites, Optical band gap, Polyethylene terephthalate, Positron annihilation, ZnO/Al2O3
  • Marmara Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

This study systematically investigates the structural, optical, and free-volume properties of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) nanocomposites reinforced with ZnO/Al2O3 nanoparticles as a function of filler concentration (0–16 wt%). Comprehensive characterization using XRD, AFM, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS), and low-energy positron beam (LEPB) analysis reveals a concentration-dependent dual behavior of nanoparticles. At low loadings (2–8 wt%), nanoparticles promote densification and improved structural uniformity, while at high loadings (≥12 wt%), agglomeration induces interfacial defects and increased porosity. Quantitative analysis including crystallite size, micro-strain, roughness parameters (Ra, Rq), optical band gap, and positron parameters (τ3, I3, Fv%, S, W, P) is presented with statistical uncertainties. An optimized performance window at 6 wt% is identified based on combined structural, optical, and free-volume metrics.