PbS-PVA hydrogel nanocomposite was prepared by gamma irradiation.
PbS nanoparticles are around 5 nm in diameter, with band-gap energy of 1.84 eV.
PbS nanoparticles are positively strained and under tensile stress (lattice expansion occurs).
Hydrogels shows non-Fickian diffusion with typical values for water diffusion in polymers (10−9 cm2/s).
Thermal stability of PbS-PVA xerogel nanocomposite is slightly enhanced compared to PVA xerogel.