Synthesis, characterization and band gap energy of poly(<b><i>ε</i></b>-caprolactone)/Sr-MSA nano-composite

Abstract

A mercaptosuccinic acid (MSA) decorated Sr nano-particle (NP) was prepared and characterized by using various analytical techniques and was used as a chemical initiator for the ring opening polymerization (ROP) of ε-caprolactone (CL). The ROP of CL was carried out at various experimental conditions under N2 atmosphere with mild stirring. The initiating efficiency of MSA-decorated Sr NP was tested in terms of Fourier transform infrared-relative intensity, melting temperature (Tm), degradation temperature (Td) and molecular weight (Mw) of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), differential scanning calorimetry, UV–visible spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and gel permeation chromatography analytical techniques. The nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum confirms the chemical structure of PCL. While increasing the [M/I] ratio, the Mw of PCL was linearly increased. The band gap energy of Sr was determined from the UV–visible spectrum. The reflectance study proves the hydrophobic nature of the Sr-hybrid and its nano-composite formation with PCL.