Performance Evaluation of Fe-Doped ZnO Nanostructures Embedded in PVA Matrix for UV- Shielding

Abstract

It is well known that ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause health issues that can show up temporarily as well as permanently. UV radiation is linked to skin cancer, sunburns, ageing, and other disorders. Thus, there is a great deal of interest in research about the development of UV-shielding materials for a variety of uses, including UV-light resistant packaging, sunscreens, contact lenses, coatings, and even clothing. Among UV-shielding materials ZnO demonstrates strong photoresponse in UV absorption, an essential need for photon-trapping applications. Doping is a crucial strategy to improve the UV-visible absorption property through defect engineering. Due to their significant UV-attenuating capabilities, doped ZnO-based materials are recognized to provide certain advantages over pure ZnO, which supports its candidature as UV-shielding material. Polar organic polymer polyvinyl alcohol, or PVA, has gained a lot of interest recently because to its exceptional mechanical flexibility, high chemical and thermal stabilities, affordability, non-toxicity, and outstanding biocompatibility. The distribution of the nanocomposite inside the PVA matrix allows for modification of the material's optical properties. In this study, we are developing Fe-doped ZnO embedded in PVA matrix via facile wet chemical technique. We are evaluating the UV-shielding performance of the synthesized nanocomposite by UV vis absorption spectroscopy technique. We are analyzing the crystallographic structure of the nanocomposite via XRD. We are studying the vibrational and functional groups via Raman and FTIR spectroscopy techniques respectively. We are using SEM to study the morphology of the composites.