Figure of Merit of UV-Detector for PVP/Nd Nanofiber Prepared by Electrospun Technique

Abstract

Rare earth element Neodymium(Nd) doped PVP Nanofibers are prepared using the electrospinning techniqueat roomtemperature. The morphology and structure of the synthesized samples were examined by a field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM )and an energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS).An arrangement of smooth fibers with a diameter in the range of less than 100 nm and up to a few hundred (nm) was observed in the case of PVP undoped and doped nanofibers. The process parameters considered were voltage of 20kV, flow rate 0.3ml/h, gauge of needle is 30g and tip-to-collector distance 150 mm. It was found that the concentration of the polymer used is suitable in forming the fibers within the nanoscale although the applied voltage and the Spinneret distance of the complex also have an effect on the diameter of the fibers. Optical properties , such as the absorption  and the band energy gap (E_g),were determined and discussed in terms of a fundamentals based on the electronic transitions between localized states in the energy band structure.A direct band gap of the pure PVP sample is (4 eV) and doped PVP/Nd samples are (3.9, 3.88, and 3.85) eV at ( 1, 2, and 3)% concentration of Nd respectively.The PVP/Nd nanocomposite material has been worked as (UV) light detector with good responsivity and detectives at the mixed rate 3% of Nd which was (0.0063) A/W and (2.71x10¹⁰) cm.Hz^1/2 /W respectively at