## 3 Results and Discussion
### Characterization
#### 3.1.2 SEM and EDX Analysis  
The SEM images of AMT and its complex with copper(II) shown in Figure 4 provide useful information on surface morphology and particles size. The surface morphology of AMT changed dramatically after its reaction with Cu\({}^{2+}\). Free AMT molecules are visualized as platelet-like particles with a clear, and smooth surface (Figure 4A-D). The AMT particles size calculated using image J program ranged from 4.6 to 8.2 \(\upmu\)m. Agglomerated particles with a rough surface are observed in the SEM image of Cu(II)-AMT as shown in Figure 4E-H. The particles size of Cu(II)-AMT complex were in the range of 18.8-31.25 \(\upmu\)m. However, the SEM images of Cu(II)-AMT complex displayed a few particles with size less than 10 \(\upmu\)m that may have combined to form agglomerates with larger size. The EDX analysis of the AMT ligand revealed three signals corresponding to carbon, oxygen, and sulfur elements (Figure 5A), while the EDX spectrum of copper complex with AMT confirmed the presence of copper in the complex as indicated by the signals corresponding to this element in Figure 5B. Such signals were not found in the EXD spectrum of free AMT (Figure 5A). The elemental analysis of AMT ligand and its complex with Cu(II) is displayed in Table 2.  
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c} \hline
**AMT Reagent** & **Tentative Assignments** & **Cu(II)-AMT Complex** & **Tentative Assignments** \\ \hline
3291, 3195 strong & \(\upnu\)(NH\({}_{2}\)) & 3142 weak & \(\upnu\)(NH) \\
3064–3091 weak & \(\upnu\)(aromatic C–H) & 3066 weak & \(\upnu\)(aromatic C–H) \\
2936 weak & \(\upnu\)(aliphatic C–H) & 2901 weak & \(\upnu\)(aliphatic C–H) \\
2665 weak & \(\upnu\)(SH) & 2667 weak & \(\upnu\)(SH) \\
1660 very strong & \(\upnu\)(C=O) & 1705 very strong & \(\upnu\)(C=O) \\
1593 strong & \(\upnu\)(C=C) & 1554 strong & \(\upnu\)(C=C) \\
1618 strong & \(\upnu\)(C=N) & 1618 strong & \(\upnu\)(C=N) \\
1401 strong & \(\updelta\)(N–C–S) & 1421 strong & \(\updelta\)(N-C-S) \\
1420 medium & \(\updelta\)(aliphatic C–H) & 1412 medium & \(\updelta\)(aliphatic C–H) \\  & & 530 medium & \(\upnu\)(Cu–N) \\  & & 518 medium & \(\upnu\)(Cu–O) \\  & & 1545, 1353, 820 & Nitrate group \\ \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table}
Table 1: FT-IR frequencies (cm\({}^{-1}\)) and tentative assignments of AMT and the Cu(II)-AMT complex.  
Figure 4: _Cont._Figure 4: SEM images at a different magnification of (**A–D**) AMT and (**E–H**) Cu(II)-AMT.  
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c} \hline \hline  & **Element** & \
\begin{tabular}{c} **Weight \%** \\ **Calculated** \\ \end{tabular} &
\begin{tabular}{c} **Weight \%** \\ **Found** \\ \end{tabular} \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{**AMT**} & C & 42.85 & 42.90 \\  & H & 3.21 & 3.16 \\  & N & 22.22 & 22.03 \\  & O & 6.34 & 6.56 \\  & S & 25.42 & 25.81 \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{**Cu(II)-AMT**} & \multicolumn{2}{c}{**Weight \%**} & **Weight \%** \\  & & **Calculated** & **Found** \\ \hline \multirow{4}{*}{**Cu(II)-AMT**} & C & 25.06 & 25.76 \\  & H & 3.27 & 2.45 \\ \cline{1-1}  & N & 16.22 & 15.36 \\ \cline{1-1}  & O & 25.93 & 24.50 \\ \cline{1-1}  & S & 14.81 & 14.44 \\ \cline{1-1}  & Cu & 14.59 & 14.36 * \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}  
* Cu content in Cu(II)-AMT was determined from EDX measurements.  
\end{table}
Table 2: The elemental analysis of AMT ligand and Cu(II)-AMT complex.  
Figure 5: EDX spectra of (**A**) AMT and (**B**) [Cu(L)(NO\({}_{3}\))(H\({}_{2}\)O)\({}_{2}\)]\(\bullet\)H\({}_{2}\)O.