Solution Properties and Chain Stiffness of Poly(Acenaphthylene)

Abstract

Solution properties of poly(acenaphthylene) (PACN) were investigated in a theta solvent (1,2-dichloroethane) and a good solvent (chloroform). The viscosity exponent α was found to be 0.50 at both 35 and 41 °C in 1,2-dichloroethane. Unperturbed dimensions found from viscometric measurements were compared with those of other vinyl aromatic polymers. Calculation of the chain flexibility parameters led to the conclusion that PACN is a rather stiff chain compared to other vinyl polymers with its characteristic ratio C∞ of 18.2 and chain flexibility parameter λ of 7.