Engineered Polystyrene-Zirconium Dioxide Nanocomposite With Enhanced Optical Properties

The demand for transparent polymers with high-refractive indices (RIs) is increasing due to their versatility; however, low RIs also hold significance. Engineering the RI of polymer nanocomposites is crucial which benefits industry and research. The study investigates the influence of ZrO₂ nanoparticles on the optical and surface properties of the polystyrene matrix. UV–Vis spectroscopy confirms that transparency is maintained with a light transmittance of 90 even with a ZrO₂ loading of 16 wt%, while ellipsometry shows a steady increase in the RI due to the incorporation of nanoparticles. The RI of composites exceeds that of pure polystyrene (RI: 1.3–1.7) and utilizes the RI of ZrO₂ (> 2.00) without altering the sample thickness. The microscopic image shows uniform distribution of particles up to 8 wt%, with slight agglomeration at higher contents. Scanning electron microscopy examination shows that the ZrO₂ nanoparticles (20–150 nm) form loose agglomerated structures, while atomic force microscopy examination shows aggregate formation at 16 wt%. The addition of ZrO₂ increases the surface roughness and water contact angle up to 4 wt%, which is related to the concentration of the nanofiller and the minimal interaction between ZrO₂ and water. The results demonstrate the potential of ZrO₂-loaded nanocomposites for applications requiring high RIs and optical transparency.