Preparation, characterization, and thermal studies of gamma-Fe2O3 and CuO dispersed polycarbonate nanocomposites

Abstract

Polycarbonate with gamma-Fe2O3 and CuO dispersions were carried out by solvent casting method to make polycarbonate-gamma-Fe2O3 and polycarbonate-CuO composite films. These films were characterized for the molecular structure through FTIR spectroscopy and crystallinity by X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. The morphology of polycarbonate-gamma-Fe2O3 was found to be different from that of polycarbonate-CuO composite films based on the scanning electron micrograph (SEM) images. The thermal traces of composites are different from that of pure polycarbonate which indicating the catalytic decomposition when compared with virgin polymer which is oxidative decomposition. An understanding of the structure, morphology, and thermal behaviour of the composite films are envisaged in the present study.