Enhancing optical, luminescence, and dielectric properties of thermoplastic polyurethane with Mn3O4/carbon quantum dots for multifunctional applications

This work reports a novel, sustainable approach for fabricating multifunctional thermoplastic polyurethane quantum dot hybrid, where the CDs are derived from sustainable sugarcane bagasse. The principal advantage of this nanocomposite lies in its synergistic, tunable properties, offering an exceptional combination of enhanced optical responses, photoluminescence (PL), and significantly improved dielectric characteristics in a single, flexible platform, overcoming the limitations of conventional TPU. FTIR research verified the existence of Mn-O bonds and demonstrated enhanced hydrophilicity of the composite films. The optical characteristics of TPU improve with the addition of Mn3O4/CDs. This improves its applicability for applications requiring enhanced photonic responses. The interaction between Mn3O4/CDs and TPU involves charge transfer and the creation of fascinating luminous centers. Mn3O4 serves as a quenching agent, enabling nonradiative pathways. CDs influence luminescence by augmenting emission or facilitating energy transfer pathways. Mn3O4/CDs-modified TPU displays tunable photoluminescent characteristics. Fluorescence microscopy indicated a color shift following the integration of Mn3O4/CDs into the TPU matrix, implying interactions among the components. The electrical characteristics of the nanocomposite demonstrate significant variability. These nanocomposite materials demonstrate potential for multifunctional applications, including antimicrobial coatings, optoelectronics, light emitting diodes, and energy storage.