Effect of gamma-irradiation on the structural, optical and electrical properties of PEO/starch blend containing different concentrations of gold nanoparticles

Blend of polyethylene oxide (PEO)/starch (70/30 wt.%) filled with different amounts of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were prepared using the casting technique. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) techniques were used to investigate the structure of polymeric samples before and after exposing to gamma irradiation at different times. XRD showed a gradual decrease in intensity of crystalline peaks with increasing the gamma dose denotes a decrease in the amount of crystalline phase in the films, while the FTIR measurement shows induced changes in chemical structure assigned to the AuNPs amount and irradiation times. The optical energy gap values (E-g) for unirradiated and irradiated samples were calculated and interpreted. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) which showed the miscibility between the two components of the blend. The electrical conductivity (sigma) measurement was showed increased in electrical conductivity after exposure to the gamma dose. The gold nanoparticles were used as nano?ller to improve the structural and electrical properties of polymeric samples. The results showed the Gamma irradiation significantly effect on the structural and electrical properties of PEO/starch blend.