Conferring smart behaviour to polyolefins through blending with organic dyes and metal derivatives

Bis(salicylaldiminate) M(II) complexes of Nickel, Copper and Cobalt have been prepared and mixed with ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) in order to prepare new composite materials with interesting dispersion and optical properties by profiting of the presence of long and linear alkyl chains connected to the ligand structure. The phase dispersion behaviour of the binary polyethylene films has been studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and x-ray microanalysis, whereas the optical properties of the oriented samples have been evaluated by UV-Vis spectroscopy in linearly polarized light and discussed in terms of the anisotropy induced by the mechanical orientation of the polymer matrix. The dichroism of the d pi* electronic transition of the oriented complexes can be modulated by changing the nature of the metal centre according to the different strength of the transition dipole moment.