OICC Press International Nano Letters 2228-5326 13 2 (June 2023) 2023 02 04 Optical properties of polystyrene with carbon nanotube and carbon nano incorporated and surface morphology studies 10.1007/s40089-023-00398-0 EN Alaa M. Abdullah Department of Chemistry, College of Education, University of Samarra, Samarra, IQ Liqaa H. Alwan Department of Chemistry, College of Education, University of Samarra, Samarra, IQ Ahmed A. Ahmed Polymer Research Unit, College of Science, Al-Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, 10052, IQ Rasheed N. Abed Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, IQ Journal Article 2023 02 04 Abstract The polystyrene (PS) was doped by carbon nanotube (CNT) and nano carbon (CN) that have been synthesized. The pure PS and the nanocomposite thin films (PS-0.05CNT, PS-0.05CN, and PS-0.025CNT-0.025CN) were prepared by casting method. The optical properties and morphology structure of the PS nanocomposite thin films incorporating the CNT and CN nanoparticles were investigated by using an atomic force microscope (AFM), and UV–Vis diffuse reflectance. The optical properties such as reflectance, transmittance, absorption coefficient, extinction factor, and refractive index were offered and computed. The direct energy gap was decreased from 4.0 eV for the pure PS to 2.0 eV of PS nanocomposite thin films, and for the indirect energy gap from 3.8 to 2.95 eV after being filled with CNT and CN, respectively. After the addition of CNT and CN to the PS matrix, the urbach energy has been increased from 2.120 to 4.583 eV. The grains and surface morphology of the PS nanocomposite thin films with CNT and CN were inspected through the SEM device. The PS thin films of pure and the nanocomposite (PS-0.05CNT, PS-0.05CN, and PS-0.025CNT-0.025CN) for surface morphology, the average roughness, and root mean square of roughness were tested by AFM. The distribution of CNT and CN was exhibited in the PS matrix by the microscope device. The applications of the nanocomposite thin films (PS-0.05CNT, PS-0.05CN, and PS-0.025CNT-0.025CN) such as thermal conductivity, process-ability, electrical conductivity, chemical sensors, and photosensitivity.