Preparation and characterization of novel transparent and foldable polymers modified with Cr(III), Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) complexes

The properties of films prepared from polystyrene (PS), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and polystyrene (PS)/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) blends and composite films prepared with metal ion-centered complexes were compared. New complexes of Cr(III), Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) prepared according to the template were synthesized from ligand L (4-hydroxy-N-[2-[(4-hydroxybenzoyl)amino]ethyl]benzamide) prepared by condensation of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and ethylenediamine. Structural analysis of ligands and complexes were determined by LC-MS, ¹H-NMR, FTIR, UV-Vis, and XRD. The conductivities and magnetic susceptibility of novel complexes were measured. Morphological properties of the transparent films by SEM and AFM, their thermal stabilities by TGA, and their optical properties by refractometry were characterized. Original composite films of PS, PMMA, and PS/PMMA blend modified with novel complexes were obtained as thermally stable, transparent, and foldable composite films with permanent colors.