Macrostructure and optical studies of hydroxypropyl cellulose in pure and Nano-composites forms

In the present study, composites of hydroxypropyl cellulose and iron (III) oxide nanoparticles (HPC:Fe2O3 NPs) were prepared in different ratios (20:0.5, 20:1, 20:1.5 and 20:2 wt:wt). Variations in the group coordination of the prepared composites in the IR region were employed. The reflectance spectra in the visible region (400-700 nm) were followed to characterize and reveal the relationship of the structure properties of the prepared nanocomposites. The CIE tristimulus values and color parameters as well as the location on the chromaticity diagram were determined. The variations in the optical parameters such as; absorption coefficient, absorption edge, band tail width and band gap energies, extinction coefficient and color strength were determined as a function of alpha-Fe2O3 NPs concentrations. The results of the FTIR spectra noticed that by increasing the concentration of Fe2O3 NPs in the mixture, variations in the intensity, area, band width, and the transmittance values of some bands were observed which indicate that change in the vibrational bonds and in the molecular configuration of HPC was occurred. The location of the alpha-Fe2O3 NPs concentration on the chromaticity diagram was different and confirmed the change in the colors of the investigated composites. The obtained variations in the optical parameters by increasing the presence of alpha-Fe2O3 NPs may be due the induced structural change in the system of HPC. In conclusion, increasing the existence of alpha-Fe2O3 NPs in the HPC network has great effect on improving the performance properties of hydroxypropyl cellulose.