Investigating the Electrical and Thermal Characteristics of Bismuth/(Polyvinyl alcohol/Acrylic Acid) Nanocomposites Membranes Prepared by Ionizing Radiation

In this work, thin nanocomposite membranes of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/acrylic acid (AAc)/bismuth were synthesized by means of ionizing radiation induced copolymerization of AAc with PVA in the presence of different Bi(NO₂)₃ concentrations. The prepared nanocomposite membranes were characterized by studying gelation percent, FTIR and water uptake. The nanocomposite formation was confirmed by examining the X-ray diffraction patterns and transmission electron microscope micrographs. The effect of the inclusion of Bi nanoparticles within the prepared membrane on their thermal stability was investigated by thermogravimetric analysis. The electrical resistivity of the prepared nanocomposite membranes were also studied. The results showed that the inclusion of Bi nano particles within the (PVA/AAc) membranes improve their electrical properties such improvement may recommend the prepared nanocomposite to be used in some electrochemical applications.