GAMMA IRRADIATION-INDUCED MODIFICATIONS IN THE STRUCTURAL AND DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES OF GO/PVA/AgNW NANOCOMPOSITES

Solution casting was used to create GO/PVA/AgNW nanocomposites, which were then exposed to gamma irradiation at dosages of (8, 25 and 50) kGy. XRD, SEM, XPS, and dielectric spectroscopy were used to examine the nanocomposites’ structural, morphological, and dielectric characteristics. XRD analysis confirmed the successful synthesis of the nanocomposites and indicated that no significant oxidation occurred due to -irradiation. Interestingly, the sample exposed to 25 kGy radiation showed the lowest degree of crystallinity. With no discernible morphological changes across all irradiation doses, SEM images revealed a homogeneous dispersion of GO inside the polymer matrix and a random distribution of AgNWs throughout the composite. XPS results demonstrated that silver retained its metallic state, while gamma irradiation enhanced its surface contribution. Dielectric measurements revealed that the sample irradiated at 8 kGy exhibited the highest dielectric permittivity and electrical conductivity. This response is fundamentally linked to the increased freedom of charge carriers, a consequence of polymer chain scission processes and the simultaneous introduction of oxygenated functional moieties. These structural modifications facilitate easier charge transport pathways within the composite matrix.