Novel PVA/MnFe 2 O 4 Nanocomposites with Improved Structural and Optical Features

This paper explores the structural and optical parameters of the novel PVA/MnFe 2 O 4 polymer nanocomposite that has been synthesized using an ordinary mixing approach. The ready sample of PVA/MnFe 2 O 4 polymer nanocomposite was characterized using XRD and UV–Vis-NIR spectrometer to determine the structural parameters (such as crystalline size, micro-strain, dislocation density, Young’s modulus and flexibility) and optical parameters (bandgap, refractive index and Urbach energy), respectively. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analyses confirmed the uniform dispersion of manganese ferrite (MnFe 2 O[Formula: see text] nanofillers within the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix, revealing structurally stable nanocomposite films with the expected elemental composition of C, Mn, Fe and O. According to the findings, these nanocomposites can be used as a flexible magnetic–dielectric medium, and are useful in designing the tunable optical and sensing devices. The key novelty of the presented work lies in establishing a comprehensive structure–property relationship in a flexible PVA/MnFe 2 O 4 nanocomposite, demonstrating the simultaneous influence of MnFe 2 O 4 nanofillers on structural parameters, mechanical flexibility and optical characteristics, thereby offering a multifunctional polymer-ferrite platform for tunable optical and sensing applications.