Structural, Optical, Electrical and Magnetic Studies of PANI/Ferrite Nanocomposites Synthesized by PLD Technique

In the present work PANI, 90%PANI/10%Ni0.8Zn0.2Fe2O4 and 90%PANI/10% Ni0.2Zn0.8Fe2O4 thin films were deposited successfully on the p-type Si-substrates by employing pulsed laser deposition technique (PLD), while the ferrite nanoparticles were synthesized by gel method. The interaction between ferrite nano powders and polyaniline has been studied by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), UV–Vis spectrum, I–V characteristics and vibration sample micrometer (VSM). X-ray diffraction confirmed the presence of PANI and ferrite phases in the thin film nanocomposites. The average crystalline size value of 90%PANI/10%Ni0.8Zn0.2Fe2O4 and 90%PANI/10%Ni0.2Zn0.8Fe2O4 nanocomposite was estimated by utilizing Scherrer’s formula, they were found 20 nm and 25 nm, respectively. SEM images of the PANI and PANI/ferrite showed dense and inhomogeneous film morphology. The versatile optical properties of PANI/ferrite thin film nanocomposites are important for solar cell application. The obtained optical band gap for 90%PANI/10%Ni0.8Zn0.2Fe2O4 (2.45 eV) is less than pure PANI (2.8 eV) thin film. The lowering in the band gap value of 90%PANI/10%Ni0.8Zn0.2Fe2O4 nanocomposite film could be assigned to band edge bending phenomena. The light sensing behavior of the polyaniline/ferrite nanocomposites were examined at room temperature and showed higher response as compared to pure PANI film. Temperature dependence resistance characteristic was investigated in range between 25 and 100 °C under air atmosphere. The results showed that the dc resistance gradually decreases with the temperature increases and showing the semiconductor behavior of the prepared samples. The measured electrical resistance and band gap energy strongly suggest that the film with composition 90%PANI/10%Ni0.8Zn0.2Fe2O4 is a suitable candidate to be used in solar cell applications.