Collection of scientific works Nanosystems, nanomaterials, nanotechnologies
Year 2026 Volume 24, Issue 2
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Blerina PAPAJANI1, Elvin COMO2, Albana HASIMI2, and Alfred LAKO3

1Department of Physics, University of Elbasan ‘Aleksandr Xhuvani’, Ismail Zyma Str., 3003 Elbasan, Albania
2Department of Meteorology, Institute of GeoSciences, 60 Don Bosko Str., 1024 Tirana, Albania
3Department of Environmental Engineering, Polytechnic University of Tirana, 4 Deshmoret e Kombit Blvd., 1000 Tirana, Albania

Characterizing Crystallinity and Phase Compounds in Polyvinyl Alcohol–Montmorillonite Nanocomposites Through X-Ray Diffraction and Optical Microscopy

649–667 (2026)

PACS numbers: 07.60.Pb, 07.79.Fc, 07.85.Qe, 61.05.cf, 61.05.cp, 81.07.Pr, 81.70.Fy

Received 17 October, 2024; in revised form, 1 November, 2024

The aim of this study is to analyse modern advancements in x-ray diffraction and optical microscopy to enhance the characterization of polyvinyl alcohol–montmorillonite nanocomposites. The development of advanced nanocomposites has garnered significant attention due to their potential applications in various fields. Among these, polyvinyl alcohol reinforced with montmorillonite has emerged as a promising material, owing to its enhanced mechanical and thermal properties. However, a thorough understanding of the crystallinity and phase compounds in these nanocomposites is essential for optimizing their performance and quality. To achieve this goal, recent studies on these techniques are reviewed, and their effectiveness, advantages, and limitations are evaluated. The results demonstrate that digital holography, fluorescence microscopy, and confocal microscopy improve significantly the visualization of microstructural features and provide detailed 3D images and quantitative phase contrast. In situ x-ray diffraction allows real-time monitoring of structural changes, while small-angle x-ray scattering provides detailed information about the size, shape, and distribution of nanostructured features. Synchrotron x-ray diffraction offers very high resolution and sensitivity, facilitating precise characterization of the nanocomposites’ properties. By integrating these advanced techniques, the study establishes a comprehensive framework for understanding the crystallinity and phase composition of polyvinyl alcohol–montmorillonite nanocomposites, paving the way for optimized material development.

KEY WORDS: phase composition, x-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, crystallinity, montmorillonite, polyvinyl alcohol

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15407/nnn.24.02.0649

Citation:
Blerina Papajani, Elvin Como, Albana Hasimi, and Alfred Lako, Characterizing Crystallinity and Phase Compounds in Polyvinyl Alcohol–Montmorillonite Nanocomposites Through X-Ray Diffraction and Optical Microscopy, Nanosistemi, Nanomateriali, Nanotehnologii, 24, No. 2: 649–667 (2026); https://doi.org/10.15407/nnn.24.02.0649
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