Synthesis and characterization of Cu(II) containing PMMA co-polymer for optical applications

Homogenous, transparent, greenish blue Cu(II) containing PMMA co-polymer disks were prepared through the radical polymerization of the Cu(II) methacrylate, MMA and HMA using AIBN as an initiator. The dependence of the absorbance and transmittance spectra with the Cu(II) methacrylate concentration was investigated in the visible range (420–750 nm). From the transmittance measurements the refractive index and extinction coefficient spectral dependence were calculated by application of an inversion approach. To further characterize this co-polymer a thermogram was performed. The overall behavior of this material suggests its possible use as a standard solution for Spectroscopy Equipment Calibration and as a selective optical filter.