Flexible photocatalytic membrane based on CdS/PMMA polymeric nanocomposite films: multifunctional materials

In this study, poly(methyl methacrylate) with different doping nano-cadmium sulfide (CdS/PMMA) is prepared and characterized. CdS/PMMA polymeric nanocomposite films were synthesized using solution casting methodology. SEM and XRD are used for structure analysis for the studied nanocomposite films. XRD revealed the amorphous domains of PMMA polymer, which increased with increasing CdS nanoparticle contents. SEM revealed the CdS dispersion within the PMMA matrix. CdS nanoparticles in the PMMA matrix are expected to be aggregated due to the casting technique. The optical energy gap is found to be decreased after the CdS addition. ε' and ε″ have the same behavior with the applied frequency. Maxwell-Wagner interfacial polarization is the responsible factor for higher values of ε'-ε″ at the higher frequencies. Electrical conductivity behavior σ_AC tends to obtain a constant value at lower frequencies that approach from its DC conductivity values. After doping PMMA with nano-CdS, an exponential increase after a critical frequency value and the values of σ_AC was also increased. Besides, a significant reduction in laser energy power is identified by the reduction of the output power. CdS/PMMA can attenuate the laser power due to its nonlinear effect. CdS/PMMA nanocomposite can act as a photocatalyst to improve the performance of the photodegradation of Rhodamine B (RhB). Among the different CdS/PMMA nanocomposite films, 3.33 wt% CdS/PMMA demonstrates the highest efficiency in visible photocatalysis of Rhodamine B. CdS/PMMA can be utilized as multifunctional materials use like laser optical limiting to reduce the power of laser sources and as a photocatalyst membranes.