Studies on the effect of Cu doping on the structural, thermal and spectroscopic properties of PVA/MAA:EA polyblend films

PVA/MAA:EA polyblend films doped with various concentrations of Cu2+ (1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 and 5.0 mol%) were synthesised using solution casting method. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) reveals a decrease in thermal degradation temperature with an increase in Cu2+ concentration, which shows an increase in the amorphicity of the polyblend. UV-Vis spectra show a decrease in band gap with an increase in Cu2+ concentration. and bands at 675 and 390 nm corresponds to 2B1g→2B2g and 2B1g →2Eg transitions respectively. XRD studies confirm a lower degree of crystallinity with higher dopant concentration. EPR spectra exhibit resonance signals due to Cu2+ ions with characteristic g values, gll = 2.362, and g⊥ = 2.072, indicates the ground state is d x2-y2 orbital and the environment is tetragonally distorted octahedral. The improved properties like increased amorphicity and decreased band gap of these Cu doped PVA/MAA:EA polyblend films seems to be desirable for optical and battery applications. © 2020 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.