Characterization and physical properties of CoCl 2 filled polyethyl‐methacrylate films

Pure polyethyl‐methacrylate (PEMA) and PEMA filled with CoCl 2 films were prepared by casting method. The structure and characterization of these film composites were investigated using Fourier transform infrared analysis (FTIR), optical spectra (UV), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and DC electrical conductivity. FTIR was used to identify the structural variations due to changing CoCl 2 concentration. The assigned conjugated double bonds suggested the presence of polarons and bipolarons in the polymeric matrix. The shift of some bands manifested the specific interaction in PEMA matrixes and the filler. XRD reveals the presence of some crystalline phase in PEMA matrixes. The degree of crystallinity increase with increasing CoCl 2 and there is no significant change on the halos center but it has become less obvious. Optical absorption measurements reveal that CoCl 2 filler influences the optical energy gap. TGA data clarified that addition of CoCl 2 to PEMA films enhances the thermal stability of PEMA. The activation energy decreases with increase in CoCl 2 content. The electrical properties were studied using DC electrical conductivity. The electrical measurements revealed a nearly monotonic behavior of electrical conductivity as CoCl 2 content increased. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008.