Novel fluorinated poly(aryl ether ketone)s

Two novel fluorinated monomers were prepared and polymerized with biphenols to produce amorphous, thermally stable poly(aryl ether ketone)s. The properties of the fluorinated polymers are compared to those of unfluorinated, amorphous poly(aryl ether ketone)s. The presence of fluorine in the polymers was found to cause a decrease in glass transition temperature and Young's moduli, however, no increase in thermal stability was observed. The fluorinated polymers are soluble in common organic solvents such as chloroform and methylene chloride at room temperature, and also show solubility in solvents containing a ketonic moiety, such as acetone. Evidence of polymer branching through fluorines considered to be unreactive under the polymerization conditions was found. Efforts were made to evaluate the reactivity of fluorine atoms under the polymerization conditions using both molecular modeling and ¹⁹F-NMR to ascertain if such branching could be avoided. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Poly(ether ether ketone)/poly(aryl ether sulfone) blends: Melt rheological behavior

Dynamic rheological measurements were carried out on blends of poly(ether ether ketone) (PEEK)/poly(aryl ether sulfone) (PES) in the melt state in the oscillatory shear mode. The data were analyzed for the fundamental rheological behavior to yield insight into the microstructure of PEEK/PES blends. A variation of complex viscosity with composition exhibited positive–negative deviations from the log‐additivity rule and was typical for a continuous‐discrete type of morphology with weak interaction among droplets. The point of transition showed that phase inversion takes place at composition with a 0.6 weight fraction of PEEK, which agreed with the actual morphology of these blends observed by scanning electron microscopy. Activation energy for flow, for blend compositions followed additive behavior, which indicated that PEEK/PES blends may have had some compatibility in the melt. Variation of the elastic modulus (G′) with composition showed a trend similar to that observed for complex viscosity. A three‐zone model used for understanding the dynamic moduli behavior of polymers demonstrated that PEEK follows plateau‐zone behavior, whereas PES exhibits only terminal‐zone behavior in the frequency range studied. The blends of these two polymers showed an intermediate behavior, and the crossover frequency shifted to the low‐frequency region as the PEEK content in PES increased. This revealed the shift of terminal‐zone behavior to low frequency with an increased PEEK percentage in the blend. Variation of relaxation time with composition suggested that slow relaxation of PEEK retards the relaxation process of PES as the PEEK concentration in the blend is increased because of the partial miscibility of the blend, which affects the constraint release process of pure components in the blend. A temperature‐independent correlation observed in the log–log plots of G′ versus loss modulus (G″) for different blend systems fulfilled the necessary condition for their rheological simplicity. Further, the composition‐dependent correlations of PEEK/PES blends observed in a log–log plot of G′ versus G″ showed that the blends are either partially miscible or immiscible and form a discrete‐continuous phase morphology. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 1548–1563, 2004     

Synthesis and characterization of novel poly（aryl ether sulfone ketone）s containing phthalazinone and biphenyl moieties

A novel series of poly（aryl ether sulfone ketone）s （PPESKs） containing phthalazinone and biphenyl moieties were prepared by two-step nucleophilic polycondensation reaction. The ^-Mw values of these copolymers were between 38,330 and 67,900. The glass transition temperatures （Tg） and 5% decomposition temperatures were ranged in 253-269 ℃ and 488-500 ℃, respectively, The structures of these copolymers were confirmed by FT-IR and ^1H NMR. Moreover, all the resultant copolymers were amorphous determined by wide angle X-ray diffraction （WAXD）.     

Fluorenyl-containing sulfonated poly(aryl ether ether ketone ketone)s (SPFEEKK) for fuel cell applications

A series of fluorenyl-containing sulfonated poly(aryl ether ether ketone ketone)s (SPFEEKK) were synthesized via aromatic nucleophilic substitution polymerization. The sulfonation content (SC) was controlled by the feed ratios of sulfonated and nonsulfonated monomers. Flexible and strong membranes in the sulfonic acid form were obtained from cast membranes in the sodium salt forms by treatment with acid. The thermal properties, water uptake, swelling ratio, water state, oxidative stability, proton conductivity and methanol permeability were investigated. All the polymers had proton conductivities greater than 1 × 10⁻² S/cm at room temperature, and the conductivity values of m-SPFEEKK-80 and p-SPFEEKK-80 were up to 1.86 × 10⁻¹ and 1.78 × 10⁻¹ S/cm at 100 °C. This series of polymers also possessed good dimensional stability in water and low methanol crossover.     

The molecular structure and polarizabilities of poly(aryl ether ketone)s

The molecular structure and polarizabilities of poly(aryl ether ketone)s were investigated with quantum chemical calculations, based on the fully optimized structures of model compounds (S₅: ArCOArOArOArCOAr and BS₆: ArOArCOArArCOArOAr) for their chain segments. The results showed that the average dihedral angle between their aromatic rings was in the range of 36°−37° relative to the molecular zig-zag plane. Especially, when a biphenyl group was introduced into the molecular chain of this polymer, its two aromatic rings were distorted by 48.0° to each other. Also, the calculation results of refractive indices for pure crystals obtained by using the structural parameters were in good accordance with those reported in the literature.     

The crystal structure and drawing induced polymorphism in poly(aryl ether ketone)s, 3. Crystallization during hot-drawing of poly(ether ether ketone ketone)

The evolution of crystallinity and polymorphism during hot-drawing of amorphous poly(ether ether ketone ketone) (PEEKK) as a function of strain rate, draw ratio, and temperature was investigated. In modification I, the competition of chain extension and molecular alignment is responsible for the strain rate and temperature dependence. Modification II crystallization is basically controlled by chain extension during stretching. The former can be transformed into the latter via relaxation during stretching or annealing at elevated temperature.     

Fluorinated poly(ether sulfone)s

New fluorinated poly(ether sulfone)s were prepared from bisphenols and α,ωbis(4-fluorophenylsulfonyl)perfluoroalkanes. The fluorinated sulfone monomers were synthesized by reaction of 4-fluorobenzenethiol salts with perfluoroalkylene diiodides, followed by oxidation. Sodium carbonate mediated polymerization gave high molecular weight polymers in excellent yield. The polymers are generally soluble in chlorinated hydrocarbons and some dipolar solvents, are amorphous with T_g's in the range of 120–160°C and are stable to 400°C. They form clear, colorless films by solution casting. Cast films have dielectric constants and dissipation factors somewhat below those of typical poly(ether sulfone)s, and show good permeability and selectivity for O₂/N₂ gas separations.     

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.     

Crystal structure and crystallinity of poly(aryl ether biphenyl ether ketone ketone)

The crystal structure of poly(aryl ether biphenyl ether ketone ketone) (PEDEKK) was determined to comprise a two-chain orthorhombic unit cell with dimensions a = 0.778 nm, b = 0.606 nm and c = 2.375 nm by using wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD). According to the orthorhombic system, the 12 reflections of this polymer were indexed. The crystallite size increases with increasing the crystallization temperature. The results of the degree of crystallinity (W_c,x) calculated from WAXD were compatible with those from density (W_c,d) and calorimetry (W_c,h) measurements.     

Isothermal melt and cold crystallization kinetics of poly(aryl ether ketone ether ketone ketone)

The isothermal melt and cold crystallization kinetics of poly(aryl ether ketone ether ketone ketone) are investigated by differential scanning calorimetry over two temperature regions. The Avrami equation describes the primary stage of isothermal crystallization kinetics with the exponent n ≈ 2 for both melt and cold crystallization. With the Hoffman–Weeks method, the equilibrium melting point is estimated to be 406 °C. From the spherulitic growth equation proposed by Hoffman and Lauritzen, the nucleation parameter (K_g) of the isothermal melt and cold crystallization is estimated. In addition, the K_g value of the isothermal melt crystallization is compared to those of the other poly(aryl ether ketone)s. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 38: 1992–1997, 2000     

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     

Thermal behavior and phase behavior in blends of liquid crystalline poly(aryl ether ketone) and poly(aryl ether ether ketone) containing thioether units

Thermal behavior and phase behavior in blends of liquid crystalline poly(aryl ether ketone) with lateral methoxy groups (M-PAEK) and poly(aryl ether ether ketone) containing thioether units (S-PEEK) have been investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarized light microscopy (PLM) techniques. The results indicate that the composition of the blends has great effect on the phase behavior and morphology. Thin films of pure M-PAEK and S-PEEK crystallized from the melts exhibit typical mosaic and spherulitic structures, respectively. For the blends with higher M-PAEK contents (> 50%), an unusual ring-banded spherulite with structural discontinuity is formed. The bright core and rings of the ring-banded spherulites under PLM are composed of M-PAEK phase, while the dark rings consist mainly of S-PEEK phase. For the 50:50 M-PAEK/S-PEEK blend, the ring-banded spherulites and S-PEEK spherulites coexist, which implies that a partial phase separation between the two components takes place in the melting state. In S-PEEK-rich blends, a volume-filled spherulite is produced. In addition, the effect of isothermal crystallization temperature on the phase behavior, especially the ring-banded spherulite formation in the blends, is discussed.     

Preparation and characterization of poly(ether sulfone)/sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) blend membranes

Polymer blends of sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) and poly(ether sulfone) (PES) in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP) were prepared by solution casting. The investigation on water uptake, methanol uptake, permeability and proton conductivity has been conducted. The spin-lattice relaxation time in the rotating frame of PES/SPEEK blend was obtained from the results of cross-polarization magic angle spinning (CP/MAS) solid state ¹³C NMR. SPEEK blended with PES resulted in increasing , indicating the molecular motion of polymer chain was reduced. The glass transition temperature of the PES/SPEEK blend membranes were predicted by the Kwei equation. PES plays an important role in the decreasing water uptake, methanol uptake and methanol permeability while enhancing the thermal stability of the blend membrane, which shows the feasibility for direct methanol fuel cell.     

聚芳醚酮模型化合物分子结构与分子极化的研究

本文合成了一系列的聚芳醚酮模型化合物, 研究了它们在硫酸及氯仿(或氯仿加二甲亚砜)中的分子结构变化, 实验结果表明, 硫酸使其分子产生明显极化。在UV谱中, 波长在400nm左右处出现新的吸收峰, ^1^3C NMR谱中, 羰基碳弛豫时间缩短, 化学位移增加而与羰基相连的季碳弛豫时间与化学位移均减小。计算得到芳环平均两面角36°~39°, 据此计算了不同极化模型的电荷运移, 提出极化机理为桥键受硫酸质子化及偶极作用使芳环电荷离域。     

Dielectric and dynamic mechanical relaxation studies on poly(aryl ether ketone)s

The relaxation behavior of four amorphous poly(aryl ether ketone)s was investigated using dielectric relaxation spectroscopy and dynamic mechanical analysis. The temperature dependence of the relaxation times of the glass transition process and the cooperative nature of this process were unaffected by changes in polymer structure. The temperature location of the loss peaks for all polymers progressed smoothly between the low frequency of the mechanical measurements and the higher frequencies of the dielectric probe. Differences were observed in mechanical activation energy and dielectric relaxation strength for one polymer which contained a significant concentration of meta linkages, compared with the para-linked polymers, while relaxation broadness was generally greater in the dynamic mechanical mode. Changes in chemical structure had little effect on the shape, intensity, and location of the β-relaxation peak, the main observation being that the Arrhenius activation energy measured by dynamic mechanical analysis was significantly higher than that calculated from the dielectric data. The dielectric β-relaxation was sensitive to absorbed moisture. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 36: 851–859, 1998     

Thermal chemistry of poly(aryl ether phthalazine)s and the synthesis of poly(aryl ether quinazoline)s

Poly(aryl ether phthalazine)s were found to undergo an exothermic reaction at a temperature range of 360–440°C. We elucidated the origin of the exothermic reaction and the physiochemical phenomena associated with it, based on thermal analyses, model compound studies, and ¹³C solid-state NMR studies. At elevated temperatures, polymers containing a diphenylphthalazine moiety 4 underwent extensive thermal crosslinking reactions as a result of a nitrogen elimination reaction of the phthalazine moiety. However, polymers containing the tetraphenyl or hexaphenyl phthalazine moiety 5 and 6 were found to undergo principally a backbone rearrangement reaction, in which the phthalazine moiety rearranged to a quinazoline. Utilizing this efficient thermal rearrangement of polyphenylated phthalazines, we have prepared a novel activated difluoride, 2,4-bis(4-fluorophenyl)-,5,6,7,8-tetraphenylquinazoline 9d, which underwent high-temperature solution polycondensation with BPA to give the quinazoline containing poly(aryl ether) 14. Polymer 14 is amorphous, has a glass transition temperature of 264°C, and has high thermooxidative stability with 5% weight loss being recorded at 514°C in nitrogen. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Polymer-polymer miscibility in blends of a new poly(aryl ether ketone) with poly(ether imide)

Polymer miscibility was found for a blend system comprising of a new poly(aryl ether ketone) and a poly(ether imide). Phase homogeneity was preliminarily confirmed using optical and scanning electron microscopy, indicating that the scales of phase homogeneity in the blends were beyond the resolution limits of either microscopy. A composition-dependent, single glass transition temperature (T_g) in the PAEK/PEI blends within the full range of composition was observed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The thermal transition breadth also suggests that the scales of mixing are fine and uniform.     

磺化聚芳醚酮砜/聚芳醚砜噁二唑复合型质子交换膜的制备与性能

为了降低质子交换膜(PEM)的甲醇渗透系数和改善PEM在中高温(80~120 ℃)时的质子传导率, 以自制的磺化度(SD)为100%的磺化聚芳醚酮砜(SPAEKS)与聚芳醚砜噁二唑(PAESO)为原料, 采用溶液共混法制备了SPAEKS/PAESO复合膜, 并用傅里叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)和热重分析(TGA)对其进行了表征. 结果表明, 该复合膜具有较好的化学稳定性和热稳定性. 扫描电子显微镜(SEM)照片显示, 复合膜具有较好的致密结构, 其甲醇渗透系数为3.9×10^-7~6.6×10^-7 cm²/s, 低于SPAEKS的8.7×10^-7 cm²/s. 在100 ℃时复合膜的质子传导率达到0.074 S/cm, 高于SPAEKS膜的0.066 S/cm.     

Structural study on poly(ether ether ketone ketone)-poly(ether biphenyl ether ketone ketone) copolymers

Structures of poly(ether ether ketone ketone)-poly(ether biphenyl ether ketone ketone) copolymers were studied by using small angle X-ray scattering and the one-dimensional electron density correlation function method. The results revealed that structures of the aggregated state of the copolymers depend closely on the biphenyl content (n_b). When n_b = 0.35, invariant Q, long period L, average thickness of crystal lamellae d̄, electron density difference η_c − η_a and degree of crystallinity W_{c, x} assume minimum values.