Optimizing PEO/HPMC polymer blends with Al2O3/MoO3 as hybrid nanofiller for enhanced dielectric performance and energy storage systems
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reactfunctpolym.2025.106432Keywords:
HPMC/PEO/Al₂O₃-MoO₃ nanocomposite samples were prepared using casting method. • The optical and structural features of the nanocomposite were improved with addition of Al₂O₃-MoO₃ nanofiller. • Electric modulus analysis showed enhanced ionic behavior of the nanocomposite nanofilms. • EIS data showed a significant reduction in impedance, supporting improved electrical properties. • The obtained results indicated that these samples are suitable for advanced nanodielectric devices and energy storage.Abstract
This study investigates the synergistic effects of aluminum oxide nanoparticles (Al₂O₃ NPs) and molybdenum trioxide nanobelts (MoO₃ NBs) on the structural, optical, and electrical properties of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) polymer blends prepared using solution casting method. Structural characterization revealed reduced crystallinity by XRD analysis and strong interfacial interactions by FTIR spectroscopy, confirming effective nanofillers complexation with PEO/HPMC matrix. UV–Vis analysis revealed significant reductions in both direct and indirect optical band gaps upon nanofillers incorporation. The nanofillers also improved dielectric performance, with AC conductivity increasing from 2.63 × 10−10 S/cm (pure blend) to 8.85 × 10−9 S/cm (1.2 wt% nanofiller) at 1 kHz. Dielectric results showed optimal performance at 1.2 wt% Al₂O₃-MoO₃ loading, exhibiting the highest dielectric constant among all formulations. Nyquist plots analysis demonstrated improved bulk conductivity and emerging double-layer capacitance, suggesting improved charge storage capabilities at electrode-electrolyte interfaces. SEM analysis revealed homogeneous dispersion of Al₂O₃-MoO₃ nanofillers in PEO/HPMC matrix at loadings ≤1.2 wt%, while significant aggregation was observed at higher concentrations. With their superior dielectric response and enhanced ionic conductivity, these Al₂O₃/MoO₃-PEO/HPMC nanocomposite films show outstanding promise for both nanodielectric devices and advanced energy storage systems.References
Abdulsalam, H. S., Hashim, A., & Habeeb, M. A. (2025). Fabrication and ameliorating the performance of PS/SiO2-Sb2O3 futuristic films for high energy storage capacitors and biomedical applications. Transactions on Electrical and Electronic Materials, 26(1), 24–35. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42341-024-00465-9
Algidsawi, A. J. K., Hashim, A., & Hadi, A. (2021). Exploring the characteristics of SnO2 nanoparticles doped organic blend for low cost nanoelectronics applications. Semiconductor Physics, Quantum Electronics & Optoelectronics, 24(3), 299–305. https://doi.org/10.15407/spqeo24.03.299
Alghamdi, A. M. (2025). Fabrication and comprehensive characterization of HPMC/PVA/CMC-MoO₃ bio-nanocomposites: Enhanced mechanical, electrical, and antibacterial properties for food packaging applications. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 285, 137814. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.137814
Alkallas, F. H., Morsi, M. A., Benhaliliba, M., Al-Ghamdi, H. A., Rajeh, A., & Al-Muntaser, A. A. (2024). Influence of Al2O3 nanoparticles on the structural, optical, and electrical properties of PVC/PS nanocomposite for use in optoelectronic devices. Surfaces and Interfaces, 44, 103732. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surfin.2023.103732
Alzahrani, H. S., Al-Sulami, A. I., Alsulami, Q. A., & Rajeh, A. (2022). A systematic study of structural, conductivity, linear, and nonlinear optical properties of PEO/PVA-MWCNTs/ZnO nanocomposites films for optoelectronic applications. Optical Materials, 133, 112900. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optmat.2022.112900
Aydogdu, A., Sumnu, G., & Sahin, S. (2019). Nanostructured poly(lactic acid)/soy protein/HPMC films by electrospinning for potential applications in food industry. European Polymer Journal, 112, 477–486. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2019.01.006
El Gohary, H. G., Alhagri, I. A., Qahtan, T. F., Al-Hakimi, A. N., Saeed, A., Abolaban, F., Alshammari, E. M., & Asnag, G. M. (2023). Reinforcement of structural, thermal and electrical properties and antibacterial activity of PVA/SA blend filled with hybrid nanoparticles (Ag and TiO2 NPs): Nanodielectric for energy storage and food packaging industries. Ceramics International, 49(12), 20174–20184. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2023.03.141
Gajula, G. R., Ravinder, D., & Narsimlu, N. (2020). Study on electric modulus, complex modulus and conductivity properties of Nb/Sm, Gd doped barium titanate-lithium ferrite ceramic composites. Results in Physics, 18, 103289. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rinp.2020.103289
Habeeb, M. A., Jaber, Z. S., & Hashim, A. (2023). Improvement structural and dielectric properties of PS/SiC/Sb2O3 nanostructures for nanoelectronics devices. East European Journal of Physics, 10(3), 101–108. https://doi.org/10.26565/2312-4334-2023-3-12
Hanash, F. E., Farea, M. O., Al-Muntaser, A. A., & Morsi, M. A. (2025). Study of optical, thermal, electrical, and impedance properties of Li4Ti5O12-based PEO/SA biopolymer blend electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries. ECS Journal of Solid State Science and Technology, 14(1), 013005. https://doi.org/10.1149/2162-8777/ad1a52
Hashim, A., Algidsawi, A. J. K., & Hadi, A. (2021). Determination of optical parameters of polymer blend/nanoceramics for electronics applications. Nanosistemi, Nanomateriali, Nanotehnologii, 19(3), 565–571. https://doi.org/10.15407/nnn.19.03.565
Hewlett, K. O., Malamataris, M., & Melia, C. D. (2012). Direct measurement of the time-dependent mechanical response of HPMC and PEO compacts during swelling. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 436(1-2), 481–488. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpharm.2012.06.059
Jaber, Z. S., Habeeb, M. A., & Hashim, A. (2023). Synthesis and characterization of (PVA-CoO-ZrO2) nanostructures for nanooptoelectronic fields. East European Journal of Physics, 10(2), 54–61. https://doi.org/10.26565/2312-4334-2023-2-06
Jayalakshmi, K., Saroja, G., Shanthi, J., & Selvasekarapandian, S. (2024). Investigating the properties of hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose based magnesium ion-conducting solid polymer electrolytes for primary battery applications. Journal of Energy Storage, 84, 110756. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2024.110756
Johari, S. N. A. M., Ali, A. M. M., & Yahya, M. Z. A. (2021). Ionic conductivity of solid polymer electrolyte based polyethylene oxide. International Journal of Electrochemical Science, 16(1), 210134. https://doi.org/10.20964/2021.01.34
Katakam, P., Murthy, T. E. G. K., & Khader, S. A. (2013). Design of lamivudine XR matrix tablets: Influence of HPMC and PEO on in vitro drug release and bioavailability in rabbits. Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 6(8), 819–826. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jopr.2013.08.005
Maaza, L., Zerdoumi, R., & Righi, A. (2021). Evaluation of the influence of Al2O3 nanoparticles on the thermal stability and optical and electrochemical properties of PANI-derived matrix reinforced conducting polymer composites. Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids, 155, 110091. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpcs.2021.110091
Maggi, L., Segale, L., Torre, M. L., Machiste, E. O., & Conte, U. (2000). High molecular weight polyethylene oxides (PEOs) as an alternative to HPMC in controlled release dosage forms. International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 195(1-2), 229–238. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-5173(99)00392-4
Maniruzzaman, M., Kim, J., & Shin, Y. (2014). ITO free MoO3/Au/MoO3 structures using Al2O3 as protective barrier between MoO3 and PEDOT:PSS in organic solar cells. Renewable Energy, 68, 438–443. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2014.02.019
Mohammed, A. A., Hashim, A., & Habeeb, M. A. (2023). Effect of Si3N4/TaC nanomaterials on the structural and electrical characteristics of poly methyl methacrylate for electrical and electronics applications. East European Journal of Physics, 10(4), 88–95. https://doi.org/10.26565/2312-4334-2023-4-10
Morsi, M. A., Asnag, G. M., Assran, A. S., Alwafi, R., Tarabiah, A. E., Alshehri, N. A., Al-Hakimi, A. N., & Saeed, A. (2024). Reinforced PEO/Cs polymers blend with Al2O3/TiO2 hybrid nanofillers: Nanocomposites for optoelectronics and energy storage. Journal of Energy Storage, 88, 111554. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2024.111554
Qadir, A., Shafique, S., Iqbal, T., Ali, H., Xin, L., & Ruibing, S. (2024). Recent advancements in polymer-based photodetector: A comprehensive review. Sensors and Actuators A: Physical, 370, 115267. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sna.2024.115267
Ragab, H. M. (2022). Optical, thermal and electrical characterization of PEO/CMC incorporated with ZnO/TiO2 NPs for advanced flexible optoelectronic technologies. Ceramics International, 48(8), 12563–12569. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2022.01.123
Ragab, H. M., Farea, M. O., Alghamdi, A. M., & Asnag, G. M. (2024). Novel HPMC/PEDOT:PSS nanocomposite for optoelectronic and energy storage applications. RSC Advances, 14(12), 8567–8578. https://doi.org/10.1039/D4RA00123A
Ramar, V., Balasingam, S. K., & Jun, Y. (2019). Optical and highly enhanced solar light-driven photocatalytic activity of reduced graphene oxide wrapped α-MoO3 nanoplates. Solar Energy, 181, 280–288. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2019.01.077
Rashad, M., Al-Muntaser, A. A., Saeed, A., & Morsi, M. A. (2023). Optical properties of functional Al2O3 nano-filler in eco-friendly PVA polymer for flexible optoelectronic devices. Optical Materials, 139, 113783. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optmat.2023.113783
Saeed, A., Banoqitah, E., Abdulwahed, J. A. M., Alajmi, F., Madkhli, A. Y., Al-Marhaby, F. A., Albaidani, K., Algethami, M., Assran, A. S., Alwafi, R., & Asnag, G. M. (2024). A comprehensive study on structural, optical, electrical, and dielectric properties of PVA-PVP/Ag-TiO2 nanocomposites for dielectric capacitor applications. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 977, 173412. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2023.173412
Said, S., Mikhaylov, A., & Ali, N. (2020). Recent processes for the production of alumina nano-particles. Materials Science for Energy Technologies, 3, 344–363. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mset.2020.02.001
Sattar, Z., Hashim, A., & Habeeb, M. A. (2025). Quaternary PMMA-PEG/SnO₂-SiC nanocomposite films for flexible nanodielectric and energy storage applications. Silicon, 17(2), 481–492. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12633-024-03281-5
Tort, S., Acartürk, F., & Mutlu, M. (2016). Preparation and characterization of electrospun nanofibers containing glutamine. Carbohydrate Polymers, 137, 308–313. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2015.10.089
Wang, W., Alexandridis, P., & Stefan, C. (2016). Composite polymer electrolytes: Nanoparticles affect structure and properties. Polymers, 8(11), 387. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym8110387
Yassin, A. Y., Abdelrazek, E. M., Abdelghany, A. M., & Abdallah, E. M. (2024). Incorporated Au/Se nanoparticles into HPMC/CMC blend for enhancing structural, optical and morphological properties: Hybrid nanocomposites for optoelectronic applications. Optical Materials, 154, 115721. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optmat.2024.115721
Zhang, L., Liu, Z., Han, Y., & Li, B. (2019). Effect of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose molecular weight on supramolecular structures and properties of HPMC/sodium citrate photophobic films. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 131, 843–851. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.03.111
Zhao, X., Wang, Y., Zhu, T., & Jin, M. (2016). Frequency-dependence of electric double layer capacitance of TiO2-based composite nanotube arrays. Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry, 776, 29–35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelechem.2016.06.012