Revealing the Nano‐Level Molecular Packing in Chitosan–NiO Nanocomposite by Using Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy and Small‐Angle X‐ray Scattering |
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Authors: | Dr Sandeep K Sharma Jitendra Bahadur Dr Pushkar N Patil Priya Maheshwari Dr Saurabh Mukherjee Dr Kathi Sudarshan Dr Subhasish Mazumder Dr Pradeep K Pujari |
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Institution: | 1. Radiochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400 085 (India);2. Solid State Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400 085 (India) |
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Abstract: | Chitosan–NiO nanocomposite (CNC) is shown to be a potential dielectric material with promising properties. CNCs containing NiO nanoparticles (0.2, 0.6, 1, 2, 5 wt %) are prepared through chemical methods. The inclusion of NiO nanoparticles in the chitosan matrix is confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X‐ray diffraction. The morphology of the NiO nanoparticles and the nanocomposites is investigated by transmission electron microscopy and SEM, respectively. Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) and the coincidence Doppler broadening (CDB) technique are used to quantify the free volume and molecular packing in the nanocomposites. The triplet‐state positronium lifetime and the corresponding intensity show the changes in nanohole size, density, and size distribution as a function of NiO loading. Small‐angle X‐ray scattering indicates that the NiO aggregates are identical in all the CNCs. The momentum density distribution obtained from CDB measurements excludes the possibility of a contribution of vacant spaces (pores) available in NiO aggregates to the free volume of nanocomposites upon determination by using PALS. The results show systematic variation in free‐volume properties and nano‐level molecular packing as a function of NiO loading, which is presumed to play a vital role in determining the various properties of the nanocomposites. |
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Keywords: | chitosan molecular packing nanoparticles nickel oxide organic– inorganic hybrid composites |
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