Thermal and IR studies on copper doped polyvinyl alcohol

5 mol% PVA: x mol% Cu2+ polymer films were prepared by casting process. Thermal transitions and thermal degradation of samples with respect to copper concentration were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), respectively. Increase in glass transition temperature as a function of copper concentration shows a strong branching and steric effects in copper doped PVA complexes. Thermal degradation of films to an extent of 4–5% was found with an increase in copper content. FTIR spectrum of PVA doped Cu2+ ions indicate the presence of O-H, C-H, C=C and C-O groups.