"Significant enhanced optical parameters of PVA-Y2O3 polymer nanocomposite films,"

In our present work, PVA-Y2O3 nanocomposite films were prepared based on solution casting technique. The structures of the
nanocomposite films were examined by XRD and FTIR spectroscopy. From the XRD analysis, it is found that the films are
semi-crystalline and Y2O3
nanoparticles have cubic crystal structure. The average crystal size estimated via Scherer formula
was 25 nm while W–H plot method gives 28 nm. FTIR spectra of all nanocomposite films exhibited good interaction between
nano-Y2O3 and the PVA network. The morphological images obtained from SEM microscopy indicated good distribution
of nano-Y2O3. Optical absorption spectra of the films enhanced with the incorporation of Y2O3.
As the percentage of Y2O3
added increased, the direct optical energy gap, decreased from 5.42 to 5.31 eV. While the static refractive index, dispersion
energy, third order optical susceptibility, nonlinear refractive index and optical conductivity increased.