Simple fabrication of PVA/PEG blend doped with methyl blue dye with superior optical limiting performance: Enhanced luminescence property, structural, and dielectric properties

Using the casting technique, films of 90 wt% PVA/ 10 wt% PEG blend doped with numerous concentrations of methyl blue dye (MYB) were prepared. The effect of methyl blue dye on the unique functional groups of PVA and PEG was detected using a Fourier Transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometer. The PVA/PEG blend's semi-crystalline characteristic was discovered via the X-ray diffraction pattern. With a rise in MYB doping concentration, the crystallinity of the doped blends degrades. The optical characteristics of the PVA/PEG mixture and the PVA/PEG mixture doped with various concentrations of (MYB) have been measured, including the absorption, transmission, reflection spectra, optical energy gap, optical absorption coefficient, and extinction coefficient. As the MYB dye's weight percentage increases, the composites show a decreasing energy gap and an increasing refractive index. As MYB doping rose, Urbach's energy surged from 8.5 meV to 28.88 meV. (PVA-PEG)/MYB composites demonstrated acceptable optical limiting characteristics. The emission peaks in terms of photoluminescence characteristics shift to red with rising MYB content in (PVA-PEG)/MYB MYB composite sample films, with the peak emission occurring at wavelength λem = 600 nm. According to research done in the frequency range of 100 Hz to 1 MHz, the MYB contents impact the dielectric characteristics and AC electrical conductivity. All of the aforementioned characteristics point to the (PVA-PEG)/MYB polymer composite as a promising choice for laser filters, solar cell technology, electric energy storage, and different optoelectronic applications.