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Hydroxyethyl Cellulose/Ce₀.₃ZnTi₀.₇O₃ nanocomposites with tailored optical and dielectric characteristics

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Abstract

The development of multifunctional biopolymer nanocomposites with tunable physicochemical properties is essential for emerging bioelectronic and optoelectronic technologies. In this study, flexible hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC)-based nanocomposite films reinforced with Ce₀.₃ZnTi₀.₇O₃ nanostructures (0–3 wt%) were fabricated using a combined sol–gel and solution-casting approach. XRD and SEM/EDX analyses confirmed the homogeneous dispersion of crystalline Ce₀.₃ZnTi₀.₇O₃ nanostructures within the semi-crystalline HEC matrix. Increasing the nanostructure loading sharply reduced the direct optical band gap from 4.39 to 2.18 eV (indirect: 5.25 to 4.77 eV), while the Urbach energy rose from 2.38 to 6.24 eV, reflecting a higher density of defect-induced localized states and enhanced visible-light absorption. Electrical modulus analysis revealed two relaxation processes, assigned to Maxwell–Wagner–Sillars interfacial polarization and dipolar relaxation of HEC chains, both shifting to higher frequency with rising temperature, confirming thermally activated behavior. Impedance spectroscopy showed that resistance decreased markedly with nanostructure content, and Cole–Cole plots exhibited shrinking bulk and grain-boundary arcs, evidencing enhanced charge-carrier mobility. Immersion in simulated body fluid produced weak and broad diffraction features consistent with the formation of an apatite-like calcium phosphate phase, with increasing intensity at higher Ce₀.₃ZnTi₀.₇O₃ content, suggesting enhanced mineral deposition and potential in vitro bioactivity. These combined structural, optical, dielectric, and bioactive enhancements establish Ce₀.₃ZnTi₀.₇O₃/HEC nanocomposites as promising multifunctional materials for flexible optoelectronics, biosensors, energy-storage devices, and biomedical systems.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank the National Research Centre, Egypt, for the facilities support.

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The author received no funding for this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Solid State Physics Department, Physics Research Institute, National Research Centre, 33 El Bohouth St., Dokki, Giza, 12622, Egypt

    Amany M. El Nahrawy, A. M. Mansour & Ali B. Abou Hammad

  2. Cellulose and Paper Department, National Research Center, Dokki, Giza, 12622, Egypt

    Samir Kamel

Authors
  1. Amany M. El Nahrawy
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  2. A. M. Mansour
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Contributions

Amany M. El Nahrawy: Conceptualization, Methodology, Investigation, Data curation, Formal analysis, Visualization, Writing – original draft.

A. M. Mansour: Conceptualization, Methodology, Formal analysis, Visualization, Writing-review and editing.

Ali B. Abou Hammad: Investigation, Data curation, Formal analysis, Visualization, Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing.

Samir Kamel: Resources, Investigation, Validation, Writing-review and editing. All authors reviewed and approved the final manuscript.

All authors reviewed and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. M. Mansour.

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El Nahrawy, A.M., Mansour, A.M., Abou Hammad, A.B. et al. Hydroxyethyl Cellulose/Ce₀.₃ZnTi₀.₇O₃ nanocomposites with tailored optical and dielectric characteristics. emergent mater. 9, 252 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42247-026-01536-y

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