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Optical and Structural Properties of PVVH Copolymer Doped with Neodymium Ions
Eman Mohamed, A.M. Abdelghany and M. Abdelaziz

Poly(vinyl chloride-co-vinyl acetate-co-2-hydroxypropyl acrylate) (PVVH) copolymer was doped with varying mass fractions of neodymium nitrate [Nd(NO₃)₃ ·6H₂O]. The prepared thin films were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and UV/Vis spectroscopy to analyze molecular structure and optical properties. FTIR spectra confirmed the interaction between Nd³⁺ ions and polar groups of the PVVH polymer chains. The UV/Vis absorption profile revealed signatures of Nd³⁺ 4f electronic transitions along with π→π∗ transitions of the host polymer. Optical bandgap was found to decrease with higher Nd³⁺ doping levels for both direct and indirect transitions. Photoluminescence emission peaks corresponding to Nd³⁺ 4f-4f transitions were observed, indicating effective sensitization of neodymium luminescence. The results demonstrate modification of PVVH optical characteristics by Nd³⁺ complexation for potential optical applications.

Keywords: PVVH, Nd ³⁺, FTIR, UV/Vis