Preparation,characterization, and properties of poly(thioether ether imide)s from isomeric bis(chlorophthalimide)s and 4,4′‐thiobisbenzenethiol

A series of isomeric poly(thioether ether imide)s (PTEIs) containing both thioether and ether linkages were prepared by nucleophilic substitution reaction of isomeric bis(chlorophthalimide)s with 4,4′‐thiobisbenzenethiol. The inherent viscosities of these polymers were in the range of 0.40–0.56 dL/g in m‐cresol at 30°C. The T_g values of PTEIs were 196–236°C; T_5% values reached up to 509–529°C in nitrogen and 508–534°C in air, which indicated this kind of polyimide possessed excellent thermal stability. The hydrolytic stability was arranged in the order: a > b > c > d > e, and improved with increasing the content of 3‐substituted phthalimide unit in the polymer backbone. Flexible films could be cast from the polymer solution with a solid content of 10%. The PTEI films exhibited good mechanical properties with tensile strengths of 90–104 MPa, elongations at break of 6.6–7.9%, and tensile moduli of 2.3–2.6 GPa. The minimum complex viscosity of PTEIs c was about 100 Pa·s at 310°C and the minimum melt viscosity of PTEIs (a–e) decreased with increasing the content of unsymmetrical 3,4′‐substituted phthalimide units. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Sulfonated poly(aryl ether ether ketone ketone)s containing fluorinated moieties as proton exchange membrane materials

A series of sulfonated poly(aryl ether ether ketone ketone)s statistical copolymers with high molecular weights were synthesized via an aromatic nucleophilic substitution polymerization. The sulfonation content (SC), defined as the number of sulfonic acid groups contained in an average repeat unit, could be controlled by the feed ratios of monomers. Flexible and strong membranes in sodium sulfonate form could be prepared by the solution casting method, and readily transformed to their proton forms by treating them in 2 N sulfuric acid. The polymers showed high T_gs, which increased with an increase in SC. Membranes prepared from the present sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone ketone) copolymers containing the hexafluoroisopropylidene moiety (SPEEKK‐6F) and copolymers containing the pendant 3,5‐ditrifluoromethylphenyl moiety (SPEEKK‐6FP) had lower water uptakes and lower swelling ratios in comparison with previously prepared copolymers containing 6F units. All of the polymers possessed proton conductivities higher than 1 × 10^?2 S/cm at room temperature, and proton conductivity values of several polymers were comparable to that of Nafion at high relative humidity. Their thermal stability, oxidative stability, and mechanical properties were also evaluated. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 2299–2310, 2006     

Structure‐controlled synthesis of novel soluble and thermally stable poly (aryl ether nitrile ether ketone ketone)/poly (aryl ether nitrile ether ketone biphenyl ketone) copolymers by electrophilic polycondensation

One new synthesis route was first designed to synthesize the biphenyl acid chloride (BPACl), and then a series of novel poly (aryl ether nitrile ether ketone ketone) (PENEKK)/poly (aryl ether nitrile ether ketone biphenyl ketone) (PENEKBK) copolymers with different controlled structure compositions were synthesized by electrophilic polycondensation and varying the molar ratio of BPACl to terephthaloyl chloride (TPC). The obtained PENEKK/PENEKBK copolymers were characterized by different physical and chemical techniques. The results showed, the copolymers with 10–50% molar contents of biphenyl moities exhibited good thermal properties with glass transition temperatures (T_gs) of 184–196°C, decomposition temperatures (T_ds) of 498–515°C, and good solubility in organic solvents (N‐Methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (NMP), N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF), and DMSO), indicating that they would have good potential for solvent processing. The thin films of the polymers had tensile strengths of 93.6–101.5 MPa, Young's moduli of 3.03–3.32 GPa, elongations at break of 9–14%, indicating they were strong materials. The densities of the obtained polymers were 1.31–1.40 g/cm^?3, which were far lower than those of some main inorganic materials (such as Fe, nearly 7.8 g/cm^?3), indicating that they would have possible potential for substituting some inorganic materials used as high temperature materials in some areas due to the merits of lightweight. Thus, the copolymers with 10–50% molar contents of biphenyl moities were promising polymer materials. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Spontaneous Ring‐Opening Polymerization of Macrocyclic Aromatic Thioether Ketones under Transient High‐Temperature Conditions

Summary: Spontaneous ring‐opening polymerization of macrocyclic aromatic thioether ketones [ 1,4‐SC₆H₄COC₆H₄ ]_n (n = 3 and 4), in which the thioether linkages are para to the ketone, occurs during rapid, transient heating to 480 °C, to afford a soluble, semi‐crystalline poly(thioether ketone) of high molar mass (η_inh > 1.0 dL · g⁻¹). Corresponding macrocyclic ether ketones, and a macrocyclic thioether ether ketone in which the thioether linkage is para to the ether rather than to the ketone, show no evidence of polymerization under analogous conditions.

The uncatalysed ring‐opening polymerization of macrocycle 1 , within the pores of an alumina microfiltration membrane, leads to formation of polymer 3 with the microstructure shown in the above scanning electron micrograph.     

Preparation and characterisation of novel random copoly(arylene ether-thioether ketone)s containing 2,2-bis(4-phenylene)propane units

This study investigates on the preparation and characterisation of new random copolymers containing the monomeric units of a poly(arylene ether ketone) (PEAEK) and a poly(arylene thioether ketone) (PTATK) previously synthesised by our group. The syntheses were performed using a one-pot polymerisation method starting from 4,4′-difluorobenzophenone, bis(N,N-dimethyl-S-carbamate) of 2,2-bis(4-mercaptophenyl)propane (MBTA) and bisphenol A (BPA). Different mole percentages of BPA with respect to MBTA, varying from 20% to 80%, were used. The copolymers, obtained in good yields, have molecular weights in the range from 19,000 to 32,000 as determined by GPC. The structural proof is provided by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The TGA analysis shows that the high stability of PEAEK is only slightly affected by the introduction of the PTATK co-units in the chain. Indeed, the presence of sulphur atoms induces an initial degradation process at temperatures slightly lower than that of PEAEK, but in a second stage tends to improve the formation of crosslinkings. Moreover, the copolymers with an amount of PEAEK equal to 40 and 20 mol% show a small crystallinity, due to the presence of PTATK units. The T_g values are not affected by the composition of copolymers. Therefore, the presence of sulphur atoms in the polymer backbone does not significantly modify the PEAEK characteristics, whereas can induce important new properties, such as better flame resistance or higher refractive index.     

Synthesis of copolymers of poly(ether sulfone ether ketone ketone) and poly(ether ketone diphenyl ketone ether ketone ketone) by electrophilic Friedel–Crafts solution polycondensation

A new monomer, 4,4′‐bis(4‐phenoxybenzoyl)diphenyl(BPOBDP), was synthesized via a two‐step synthetic procedure. A series of novel poly(ether sulfone ether ketone ketone)/poly(ether ketone diphenyl ketone ether ketone ketone) copolymers were prepared by electrophilic Friedel–Crafts solution copolycondensation of isophthaloyl chloride (IPC) with a mixture of 4,4′‐diphenoxydiphenylsulfone (DPODPS) and 4,4′‐bis(4‐phenoxybenzoyl)diphenyl (BPOBDP), in the presence of anhydrous aluminum chloride and N‐methylpyrrolidone (NMP) in 1,2‐dichloroethane (DCE). The copolymers with 10–50 mol% DPODPS are semicrystalline and have remarkably increased T_gs over commercially available PEEK and PEKK. The copolymers with 40–50 mol% DPODPS had not only high T_gs of 170–172°C, but also moderate T_ms of 326–333°C, which are extremely suitable for melt processing. These copolymers have tensile strengths of 96.5–108.1 MPa, Young's moduli of 1.98–3.05 GPa, and elongations at break of 13–26% and exhibit excellent thermal stability and good resistance to acidity, alkali, and common organic solvents. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and characterization of model diblock copolymers of poly(dimethylsiloxane) with poly(1,4‐butadiene) or poly(ethylene)

Model diblock copolymers of poly(1,4‐butadiene) (PB) and poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS), PB‐b‐PDMS, were synthesized by the sequential anionic polymerization (high vacuum techniques) of butadiene and hexamethylciclotrisiloxane (D₃) in the presence of sec‐BuLi. By homogeneous hydrogenation of PB‐b‐PDMS, the corresponding poly(ethylene) and poly(dimethylsiloxane) block copolymers, PE‐b‐PDMS, were obtained. The synthesized block copolymers were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H and ¹³C NMR), size‐exclusion chromatography (SEC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and rheology. SEC combined with ¹H NMR analysis indicates that the polydispersity index of the samples (M_w/M_n) is low, and that the chemical composition of the copolymers varies from low to medium PDMS content. According to DSC and TGA experiments, the thermal stability of these block copolymers depends on the PDMS content, whereas TEM analysis reveals ordered arrangements of the microphases. The morphologies observed vary from spherical and cylindrical to lamellar domains. This ordered state (even at high temperatures) was further confirmed by small‐amplitude oscillatory shear flow tests. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 1579–1590, 2006     

Butadiene–isoprene copolymerization with V(acac)3‐MAO. Crystalline and amorphous trans‐1,4 copolymers

Butadiene‐isoprene copolymerization with the system V(acac)₃‐MAO was examined. Crystalline or amorphous copolymers were obtained depending on isoprene content. Both butadiene and isoprene units exhibit a trans‐1,4 structure and are statistically distributed along the polymer chain. Polymer microstructure, comonomer composition, and distribution along the polymer chain were determined by ¹³C and ¹H NMR analysis. The thermal and X‐ray behaviors of the copolymers were also investigated and compared with results from solid‐state ¹³C NMR experiments. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 4635–4646, 2007     

Synthesis and characterization of soluble,fluorescent poly(arylene ether)s,poly(arylene thioether)s,and poly(arylene sulfone)s containing 1,3,5‐triphenylbenzene segments

The bisphenol 4,4″‐dihydroxy‐5′‐phenyl‐m‐terphenyl ( 4 ), containing a 1,3,5‐triphenylbenzene moiety, was synthesized from a pyrylium salt obtained by the reaction of benzaldehyde with p‐methoxyacetophenone with boron trifluoride etherate as a condensing agent. Polymers were obtained from 4 by a nucleophilic displacement reaction with various activated difluoro monomers and with K₂CO₃ as a base. A series of new poly(arylene ether)s ( 8a – 8f ) were obtained that contained phenyl‐substituted m‐terphenyl segments in the polymer chain. Polymers with inherent viscosities of 0.41–0.99 dL/g were obtained in yields greater than 96%. The polymers were soluble in a variety of organic solvents, including nonpolar solvents such as toluene. Clear, transparent, and flexible films cast from CHCl₃ showed high glass‐transition temperatures (T_g = 198–270 °C) and had excellent thermal stability, as shown by temperatures of 5% weight loss greater than 500 °C. 4 was converted via N,N‐dimethyl‐O‐thiocarbamate into the masked dithiol 4,4″‐bis(N,N′‐dimethyl‐S‐thiocarbamate)‐5′‐phenyl‐m‐terphenyl and was polymerized with activated difluoro compounds in the presence of a mixture of Cs₂CO₃ and CaCO₃ as a base in diphenyl sulfone as a solvent. A series of new poly(arylene thioether)s ( 9a – 9e ) were obtained with T_g values similar to those of 8a – 8e . 9a – 9e were further oxidized into poly(arylene sulfone)s with T_g values 40–80 °C higher than those for 8a – 8e and 9a – 9e . These polymers also had good solubility in organic solvents. A sulfonic acid group was selectively introduced onto the pendent phenyl group of polymers 8a and 8f by reaction with chlorosulfonic acid. The polymers were soluble in dipolar aprotic solvents and formed films via casting from dimethylformamide. Polymers 8a – 8f , 11a , and 11f showed blue and red fluorescence under ultraviolet–visible light with emission maxima at 380–440 nm. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 496–510, 2002; DOI 10.1002/pola.10136     

Sulfur-containing polymers. Synthesis and properties of novel poly(arylene thioether)s based on 2,2-bis(4-mercaptophenyl)propane

Novel poly(arylene thioether)s were synthesised using the one pot polymerisation method from the bis(N,N-dimethyl-S-carbamate) of 2,2-bis(4-mercaptophenyl)propane and activated difluoro aromatic compounds. Each of the polymers, obtained in good yields and with fairly high molecular weights, were characterised by IR, GPC and NMR analyses. In particular, the NMR characterisation was performed using ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, DEPT, 2D COSY and 2D HSQC experiments. To study the effect on the thermal properties of replacing the ethereal oxygen atoms with sulfur atoms, we have synthesised the counterparts, the poly(arylene ether)s, with similar molecular weights. We observed that the substitution of the ethereal oxygen atoms with sulfur atoms results in a slightly lower thermal stability for the poly(thioether ketone)s, both under nitrogen and in air, and does not modify the T_g values. For the poly(thioether sulfone), on the other hand, the thermal stability is equal to that of the poly(ether sulfone), while the T_g is 10 °C lower. Furthermore, each sample is completely amorphous, with the exception of one of the poly(thioether ketone)s (sample 1b), which shows the capacity to crystallise, even if with a very slow crystallisation kinetics.     

Synthesis and properties of biodegradable copolymers based on 4,4′‐(adipoyldioxy)dicinnamic acid, 1,6‐hexanediol,and poly(ethylene glycol)s

4,4′‐(Adipoyldioxy)dicinnamic acid (CAC) was synthesized by a condensation of adipoyl chloride and 4‐hydroxycinnamic acid. The CAC6 copolymers were prepared by a high‐temperature solution polycondensation of a diacyl chloride of CAC, 1,6‐hexanediol (6), and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) in which the molecular weights of PEG are 1000, 2000, and 8300. Differential scanning calorimetric curves of the copolymers exhibited a glass‐transition temperature because of PEG moiety and two melting endotherms (T_m's); the one at the higher T_m was due to CAC6 moiety, and the other at the lower T_m was due to PEG moiety, suggesting that these copolymers are the block type. The incorporation of the PEG component decreased the tensile strength and initial modulus, but increased the elongation extremely. The enzymatic degradation was performed in phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.2) with Ps. cepacia lipase at 37 °C. The degradation rate of the copolymers increased significantly with an increasing content of PEG, which was correlated to the water absorption of the copolymers. All copolymers could undergo photocuring by ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation (λ > 280 nm) at ambient temperature, as examined by UV spectroscopy and solubility. The CAC6/E2000(50/50) film photocured for 3 min exhibited a good elastic property with a maximum tensile strength of 3.7 MPa and maximum elongation of 640%. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 2930–2938, 2003     

A solution‐processible poly(p‐phenylene vinylene) without alkyl substitution: Introducing the cis‐vinylene segments in polymer chain for improved solubility,blue emission,and high efficiency

A soluble all‐aromatic poly(2,5‐diphenyl‐1,4‐phenylenevinylene) (2,5‐DP‐PPV) is synthesized by utilizing aromatic phosphonium and aldehyde monomers through Wittig reaction. The H¹ NMR and FTIR measurements indicate that over 50% content of cis‐vinylene units exist in polymer backbone. The diphenyl‐substituted benzaldehyde monomer plays an important role to enhance cis‐products (Z‐selectivity) in Wittig reactions. The twisted cis‐segments in polymer backbone reduce the interchain interactions and enhance the solubility of such all‐aromatic PPV derivative in common organic solvents. 2,5‐DP‐PPV exhibits good solubility in common organic solvents, such as tetrahydrofuran and chloroform. The polymer film exhibits a blue light emission (λ_max = 485 nm) and a very high photoluminescence efficiency of 78%. The cis‐trans photo isomerization of this polymer in solution and the impact on the optical properties are also investigated. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 5242–5250, 2008     

A New and Convenient Synthesis of Amino‐phthalimide (1H‐Isoindole‐1,3(2H)‐dione) Derivatives and Their Photoluminescent Properties

A new and convenient synthesis for amino‐phthalimide (1H‐isoindole‐1,3(2H)‐dione) derivatives has been developed starting from an α,β‐unsaturated ketone. The ketones were reacted with amines to give aromatic amine products. This is the first time that substituted amine groups have been incorporated in aromatic rings. The mechanism of the product formation is rationalized by the 1,2‐addition of amines to ketones. All aromatic compounds exhibited high fluorescence properties at the blue‐green region.     

Synthesis and optical properties of poly(aryl ether ketone)s incorporating porphyrins in the backbones

A series of novel soluble poly(aryl ether ketone)s (PAEKs) based on 5,10‐bis(4‐hydroxyphenyl)?15,20‐diphenylporphyrin (cis‐DHTPP), 4,4′‐(hexafluoroisopropylidene) diphenol (6FBPA) and 4,4′‐difluorobenzophenone (DFB) were synthesized and characterized by FT‐IR, ¹H‐NMR, UV–vis and fluorescence spectroscopies. The intrinsic photophysical properties of porphyrins were preserved because of the absence of photoinduced electron transfer in the polymer chains. Investigation of the copolymers thermal properties indicated that these polymers had high glass transition temperatures and excellent thermal stabilities. The results of Z‐scan and optical limiting measurements manifested that incorporation of the porphyrin chromophore into the main chain engendered the novel PAEKs with superior nonlinear optical properties and optical limiting function, which could be effectively tuned by varying the molar ratio of porphyrin monomers. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 1282–1290     

Direct copolymerization of sulfonated poly(phthalazinone arylene ether)s for proton‐exchange‐membrane materials

Sulfonated poly(phthalazinone ether ketone) (SPPEK) copolymers and sulfonated poly(phthalazinone ether sulfone) (SPPES) copolymers containing pendant sodium sulfonate groups were prepared by direct copolymerization. The reaction of disodium 3,3′‐disulfonate‐4,4′‐difluorobenzophenone (SDFB‐Na), 4,4′‐difluorobenzophenone (DFB), and 4‐(4‐hydroxyphenyl)‐1(2H)‐phthalazinone (DHPZ) at 170 °C in N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidione containing anhydrous potassium carbonate gave SPPEKs. SPPESs were similarly obtained with 3,3′‐disulfonate‐4,4′‐difluorophenyl sulfone, 4‐fluorophenyl sulfone (DFS), and DHPZ as monomers. The sulfonic acid groups, being on deactivated positions of the polymer backbone, were expected to be hydrolytically more stable than postsulfonated polymers. Fourier transform infrared and ¹H NMR were used to characterize the structures and degrees of sulfonation of the sulfonated polymers. Membrane films of SPPEKs with SDFB‐Na/DFB molar feed ratios of up to 60/40 and SPPESs with sulfonated 4‐fluorophenyl sulfone/DFS molar feed ratios of up to 50/50 were cast from N,N‐dimethylacetamide polymer solutions. Membrane films in acid form were then obtained by the treatment of the sodium‐form membrane films in 2 N sulfuric acid at room temperature. An increase in the number of sulfonate groups in the copolymers resulted in an increased glass‐transition temperature and enhanced membrane hydrophilicity. The sodium‐form copolymers were thermally more stable than their acid forms. The proton conductivities of the acid‐form copolymers with sulfonated monomer/unsulfonated monomer molar feed ratios of 0.5 and 0.6 were higher than 10^?2 S/cm and increased with temperature; they were less temperature‐dependent than those of the postsulfonated products. SPPESH‐50 showed higher conductivity than the corresponding postsulfonated poly(phthalazinone ether sulfone). © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 2731–2742, 2003     

New P‐type of poly(4‐methoxy‐triphenylamine)s derived by coupling reactions: Synthesis,electrochromic behaviors,and hole mobility

Methoxy‐substituted poly(triphenylamine)s, poly‐4‐methoxytriphenylamine ( PMOTPA ), and poly‐N,N‐bis(4‐methoxyphenyl)‐N′,N′‐diphenyl‐p‐phenylenediamine ( PMOPD ), were synthesized from the nickel‐catalyzed Yamamoto and oxidative coupling reaction with FeCl₃. All synthesized polymers could be well characterized by ¹H and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. These polymers possess good solubility in common organic solvent, thermal stability with relatively high glass‐transition temperatures (T_gs) in the range of 152–273 °C, 10% weight‐loss temperature in excess of 480 °C, and char yield at 800 °C higher than 79% under a nitrogen atmosphere. They were amorphous and showed bluish green light (430–487 nm) fluorescence with quantum efficiency up to 45–62% in NMP solution. The hole‐transporting and electrochromic properties are examined by electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical methods. All polymers exhibited reversible oxidation redox peaks and E_onset around 0.44–0.69 V versus Ag/AgCl and electrochromic characteristics with a color change under various applied potentials. The series of PMOTPA and PMOPD also showed p‐type characteristics, and the estimated hole mobility of O ‐ PMOTPA and Y ‐ PMOPD were up to 1.5 × 10^?4 and 5.6 × 10^?5 cm² V^?1 s^?1, respectively. The FET results indicate that the molecular weight, annealing temperature, and polymer structure could crucially affect the charge transporting ability. This study suggests that triphenylamine‐containing conjugated polymer is a multifunctional material for various optoelectronic device applications. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 4037–4050, 2009     

Synthesis and characterization of alt‐bipyridinylene‐phenylene copolymers containing ruthenium(II) complexes

Poly{bis(4,4′‐tert‐butyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine)–(2,2′‐bipyridine‐5,5′‐diyl‐[1,4‐phenylene])–ruthenium(II)bishexafluorophosphate} ( 3a ), poly{bis(4,4′‐tert‐butyl‐2,2′‐bipyridine)–(2,2′‐bipyridine‐4,4′‐diyl‐[1,4‐phenylene])–ruthenium(II)bishexafluorophosphate} ( 3b ), and poly{bis(2,2′‐bipyridine)–(2,2′‐bipyridine‐5,5′‐diyl‐[1,4‐phenylene])–ruthenium(II)bishexafluorophosphate} ( 3c ) were synthesized by the Suzuki coupling reaction. The alternating structure of the copolymers was confirmed by ¹H and ¹³C NMR and elemental analysis. The polymers showed, by ultraviolet–visible, the π–π* absorption of the polymer backbone (320–380 nm) and at a lower energy attributed to the d–π* metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer absorption (450 nm for linear 3a and 480 nm for angular 3b ). The polymers were characterized by a monomodal molecular weight distribution. The degree of polymerization was approximately 8 for polymer 3b and 28 for polymer 3d . © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 2911–2919, 2004     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(1,4‐bis((E)‐2‐(3‐dodecylthiophen‐2‐yl)vinyl)benzene) derivatives

New amorphous semiconducting copolymers, poly(9,9‐dialkylfluorene)‐alt‐(3‐dodecylthienyl‐divinylbenzene‐3‐dodecylthienyl) derivatives (PEFTVB and POFTVB), were designed, synthesized, and characterized. The structure of copolymers was confirmed by H NMR, IR, and elemental analysis. The copolymers showed very good solubility in organic solvents and high thermal stability with high T_g of 178–185 °C. The weight average molecular weight was found to be 107,900 with polydispersity of 3.14 for PEFTVB and 76,700 with that of 3.31 for POFTVB. UV–vis absorption studies showed the maximum absorption at 428 nm (in solution) and 435 nm (in film) for PEFTVB and at 430 nm (in solution) and 436 nm (in film) for POFTVB. Photoluminescence studies showed the emission at 498 nm (in solution) and 557 nm (in film) for PEFTVB and at 498 nm (in solution) and 536 nm (in film) for POFTVB. The solution‐processed thin‐film transistors showed the carrier mobility of 2 × 10^?4 cm² V^?1 s^?1 for PEFTVB‐based devices and 2 × 10^?5 cm² V^?1 s^?1 for POFTVB‐based devices. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 3942–3949, 2010     

Synthesis,dynamic light scattering,and luminescence properties of copolymers containing iridium(III) bisterpyridine in the side chain

Supramolecular block‐random copolymers containing [Ir(terpy)₂]³⁺ in the side chain were synthesized via postfunctionalization of a P(S‐b‐AC_terpy) block copolymer. Absorbance and emission spectra compared to a model compound show that the polymer backbone has a minor effect on the polymer absorbance but produces a larger shift for the phosphorescence signals to higher wavelength. Dynamic light scattering of the metal complex containing copolymer studied in various solvents showed monomodal aggregation with decreasing aggregate size as the solvent dielectric constant increased. The copolymer precursor P(S‐b‐AC_terpy) shows multimodal aggregation in different solvents with the major population consisting of single chains. This difference in behavior between the two polymers is attributed to the electrolytic nature of the complex and the amphiphilicity induced by the charged metal complex. Supramolecular copolymers like these will continue to have interesting self‐organizational properties and may find applications in multicomponent systems for photoinduced charge separation processes. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 1109–1121, 2007     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate copolymers containing azobenzene groups prepared by frontal polymerization

A novel polymer matrix containing amino–nitro substituted azobenzene groups was obtained by frontal polymerization. (E)‐2‐(Ethyl(4‐((4‐nitrophenyl)diazenyl)phenyl)amino)ethyl methacrylate (MDR‐1) was copolymerized with poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) using this easy and fast polymerization technique. The effect of the amount of the incorporated azo‐monomer into the polymer matrix was studied in detail and correlated to front velocity, maximum temperature, initiator concentration, and monomer conversion. The obtained materials were characterized by infrared spectroscopy (Fourier transform infrared), and their thermal properties were studied by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. Moreover, the optical properties of the polymers were studied by absorption spectroscopy in the UV–Vis region. Absorption spectra of the copolymers exhibit a significant blue shift of the absorption bands with respect to the azo‐monomer, due to the presence of H‐aggregates. Cubic nonlinear optical (NLO) characterizations of the PEGDA/MDR‐1 copolymers were performed according to the Z‐Scan technique. It has been proven that samples with higher MDR‐1 content (0.75 mol %) exhibited outstandingly high NLO‐activity with negative NLO‐refractive coefficients in the promising range of n₂ = ?8.057 × 10^?4 esu. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011