Synergetic effect of LaB6 and ITO nanoparticles on optical properties and thermal stability of poly(vinylbutyral) nanocomposite films

In this work, different compositions of lanthanum hexaboride (LaB₆) and tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) nanoparticles were doped into poly(vinylbutyral) (PVB) matrix to prepare PVB/LaB₆–ITO nanocomposite (PLINC) films by a solution casting method. X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and ultraviolet–visible–near infrared spectroscopy (UV–vis–NIR) were employed to characterize the PLINCs. The TGA and UV–vis–NIR results reveal that the nanocomposite films possessed outstanding thermal stability. The temperature where 5 % weight loss of the PVB matrix was improved after the addition of LaB₆ and ITO particles and the property for blocking near infrared light was also enhanced as compared with the case of pure PVB film.