Study the microstructure, optical, mechanical, and dielectric characteristics of Cu²⁺/Zn²⁺-codoped PVA for CUT-OFF laser filters

Recent research aims to study the structural, optical, mechanical, and dielectric characteristics of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) filled with Cu²⁺/Zn²⁺ doped-PVA polymeric composite films. Cu²⁺/ Zn²⁺/PVA films were prepared by the solution casting method and examined by different techniques such as XRD, UV–Vis, tensile testing, and dielectric measurements. PVA’s crystallinity is affected by the interaction of the PVA’s main chain and metal ions doping. The Cu²⁺-ions codoped Zn/PVA composite films reveal the absorbance spectrums in the visible region due to the surface plasmonic resonance (SPR) phenomenon for Cu-particles. It is found that the mechanical characteristics were improved, where the strength, Young’s modulus, and ductility were increased through the increase of Cu²⁺-ions content in Zn/PVA composite films. The dielectric measurement of the as-prepared polymeric composite films has investigated and demonstrated a highly attractive dielectric constant for the polymeric dielectric media. The obtained dielectric behaviors, alternating-current conductivity, and dielectric modulus depended on the Cu²⁺-ions content. The power output is reduced by increasing Cu²⁺-ions content, and therefore, the optical limiting of polymeric films becomes better. Finally, Cu²⁺-ions doped Zn/PVA composite films showed unique properties to be used as flexible electronic and optoelectronic devices, especially in dielectric media, CUT-OFF laser filters for biomedical laser applications. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]