Synthesis of Nanocomposites of Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes Coated with ZnO Nanoparticles in a Matrix of Poly Methyl Methacrylate and Study of Its Optical Properties

In this study, the composites of Single Wall Carbon NanoTubes (SWCNTs) functionalized with zinc oxide nanoparticles based on poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) as an optical sensor were prepared by the co-precipitation method as a part of the optical sensor. Nanoparticles synthesized were identified and characterized by analysis FESEM, EDX, XRD, and FT-IR. The average size of ZnO nanoparticles doped in carbon nanotubes was estimated at about 22nm using XRD techniques. To characterize the optical properties of carbon nanotubes as a base and a basic element with high detection capability in sensors was used UV-vis spectrophotometric and the results showed, the use of carbon nanotubes functionalized with ZnO in the PMMA matrix makes improved coverage properties of nano-composite against the UV radiation by reducing the gloss and surface clarity and the transmittance of UV radiation was zero. Also, the spectral reflectance values of the prepared samples are measured by a reflectance spectrophotometer in the visible region from 400-700 nm. The color parametric values and the blackness index are calculated at about 3.65. It was observed that in the samples containing functional carbon nanotubes the reflectivity was reduced 50% and had a better blackness.