Molecular conformations,hydrodynamics and optics of ladder polymers

Hydrodynamic (diffusion, sedimentation, viscosity), dynamo-optical and electro-optical properties of several ladder polysiloxanes with different substituents in the side groups have been investigated.In accordance with the theories of hydrodynamic properties of worm-like chains, the equilibrium rigidity of the main chain of these macromolecules was evaluated quantitatively. High equilibrium rigidity of ladder polysiloxanes is a direct consequence of the double-chain structure of their molecular chains.Values of reduced birefringence in electrical and mechanical fields in solutions of ladder polysiloxanes increase with molecular weight but tend to a limit, which is characteristic for semirigid macromolecules.Birefringence in an electrical field for solutions of all ladder polymers investigated is by two orders higher than the value of electro-optical effect in polymers with flexible chains and its sign (negative) coincides with that of flow birefringence. In a variable (sinusoidal) field in the region of high frequencies, strong frequency dependence of birefringence is characteristic for all samples. Unique electrooptical properties in constant and variable fields prove that, in contrast to polymers with flexible chains, highly organized orientational long-range order exists in ladder macromolecules, moreover, it is not only an axial order but also a polar one. The occurrence of long-range correlation in the orientation of polar groups and bonds of the molecular chain gives rise to high total moment of the macromolecule, which is responsible for its rotation in an electrical field. The direction of this dipole moment coincides with the long axis of the molecule since the Kerr effect is of the same sign as flow birefringence.     

Flow birefringence and conformational characteristics of molecules of para-and meta-isomers of polyoxyphenyl-benzoxazoleterephthalamides

Flow birefringence (FB) has been used to study sulphuric solutions of two homologous series of polyoxyphenylbenzoxazoleterephthalamides (POPhBT) differing in the position (para- or meta-) of phenyl ring in the chain. In the framework of the FB method alone by using the theory of flow birefringence for kinetically rigid wormlike chains, it was possible to determine quantitatively the optical anisotropy of the monomer unit Δa = (330 ± 30) 10^?25 cm^?3 and the length of the Kuhn segment $\text{A = (330 ± 30)}\text{A}\text{?}$ and $\text{A = (115 ± 20)}\text{A}\text{?}$ for para- and meta-isomers, respectively. Analysis of possible mechanisms of flexibility in the chains of both polymers gives theoretical values of the rigidity parameter A in good agreement with experimental values of A. confirming the validity of the molecular models used.     

Electric birefringence of solutions of aromatic poly(amide hydrazide) in dimethyl sulphoxide

Birefringence in a pulsed electric field has been investigated for solutions of para-aromatic polyamid hydrazide (PAH) in dimethyl sulphoxide. The values of the specific Kerr constant K extrapolated to zero concentration have been determined. The experimental data are adequately described by the theoretical dependence of K on the contour length of the PAH molecules for kinetically rigid wormlike chains. The angle formed by the dipole moment of the monomer unit and the direction of the PAH chain was found to be 61.5 ± 1.5°. Comparison between relaxation times obtained from the curves of the decay of birefringence after the end of the electric pulse and the intrinsic viscosities of some PAH samples confirm the conclusion about high kinetic rigidity of PAH macromolecules.     

Flow birefringence and conformational characteristics of polyamide hydrazide molecules in dimethylsulphoxide

Flow birefringence (FB) and intrinsic viscosity of 19 samples of aromatic polyamide hydrazide (PAH) in dimethylsulphoxide (DMS), previously characterized by their weight-average molecular weights by the light scattering method, have been investigated. The molecular-weight dependence of reduced birefringence according to theory [12] was used to determine the optical anisotropy of a monomer unit Δa = (200 ± 20) 10^?25cm³ and the length of the Kuhn segment $\text{A = (250 ± 30)}\text{A}\text{?}$ of PAH molecules. The second independent evaluation of rigidity of the PAH chain $\text{A = (240 ± 30)}\text{A}\text{?}$ was obtained according to the theory of rotational friction of rigid wormlike chains by using the coefficients of rotational diffusion of PAH molecules determined from the characteristic values of orientation angles of FB. The value of rigidity of the PAH chain obtained by this method is in good agreement with the data on molecular dimensions obtained by light scattering.     

Electric birefringence in solutions of cellulose carbanilate as a function of molecular weight

Electro-optical, dynamo-optical and hydrodynamic properties of solutions of some fractions of cellulose carbanilate (CC) in dioxan have been investigated. In a variable electric field, strong dispersion of the Kerr effect is observed, indicating the dipole-orientational mechanism of electrical birefringence and its relaxation. A comparison of relaxation times of fractions with their molecular weights and intrinsic viscosities indicates that the mechanism responsible for the Kerr effect is the rotation of the molecule as a whole in an electric field (a kinetically rigid molecule). The dependence of relaxation time on molecular weight (M) shows that, with increase in M, the conformation of the CC molecule changes from a slightly curved rod to a rigid Gaussian coil. The same conclusion may be drawn from a study on the dependence of the equilibrium value of the Kerr constant on M. In the Gaussian range (high M), the Kerr effect depends on the longitudinal (with respect to the chain) component of the dipole moment formed by the CO bonds in the glucoside ring. At low M, the transverse components of the monomer dipoles begin to play an important part in birefringence.     

Dynamic birefringence and conformation of molecules of aromatic polyamide-hydrazide in solutions

Flow birefringence (FB) in solutions has been investigated for a number of samples of polyamide-hydrazide (PPAH) in dimethylsulphoxide; intrinsic viscosities [η] of the same solutions have been measured. Characteristic values of FB, [η], and orientation angles [χ/g] of the solutions were determined. Molecular weights of the PPAH samples were calculated from values of [χ/g] and [η]. The use of characteristic values of [n] and [η] and the theory of optical anisotropy of persistent chains gives quantitative data on the equilibrium rigidity of PPAH molecules. It was shown that the length of the statistical segment of the PPAH chain is 800 Å. The possible reasons for the fact that the equilibrium flexibility of PPAH molecules is greater than that of poly-p-phenylene terephthalamide molecules have been discussed.     

Optical anisotropy and conformation of polyamidebenzimidazole in an organic solvent and in concentrated sulphuric acid

Flow birefringence, intrinsic orientation and intrinsic viscosities of polyamidebenzimidazole (PABI) and poly-meta-phenylene-isophthalamide (PPIP) molecules have been studied for a wide range of molecular weights. The optical and conformational properties of PABI molecules in dimethyl acetamide (DMAA) and concentrated sulphuric acid are compared. The conformation of PABI (kinetically rigid coil) is shown to be practically the same in both solvents. This fact indicates the practical absence of a significant role of protonization of molecules during formation of conformation of aromatic polyamides macromolecules in sulphuric acid. There is comparison of the coefficients G = [χ/g]RT/M[η]η₀ for PABI and PPIP molecules in sulphuric acid and DMAA. Values of G of 0.65 ± 0.05 for PABI and 0.30 ± 0.03 for PPIP correspond to those for rigid and flexible Gaussian coils respectively.     

Dynamic birefringence and rigidity of poly-p-benzamide molecules in solutions

Flow birefringence (FB) in solutions of a number of samples of poly-p-benzamide (PPBA) in sulphuric acid has been investigated; intrinsic viscosities [η] of the same solutions have been measured.Characteristic values of FB, [n], and orientation angles [χ/g] of the solutions were determined. Molecular weights of all the PPBA samples were calculated by using the values of [χ/g] and [η]. The dependence [η] = 1.6 × 10^?5 M^1.7 shows that the conformation of PPBA molecules in solution is close to that of a straight rod.The use of characteristic values of [n] and [χ/g] and the theory of optical anisotropy of persistent chains gives quantitative data on the equilibrium rigidity of PPBA molecules. It was shown that the number of molecular units in a statistical segment of the PPBA chain is 320 and the corresponding length of the segment is 2000 Å.     

Conformation and rigidity of ladder polymer molecules

Two new samples of cyclo-linear polyphenyl-siloxane (CLPhS) and a sample of cyclo-linear poly-3-methyl-butene-1 silsesquioxane (CLMBS) have been investigated by viscometry, diffusion, sedimentation and flow birefringence methods. The size of the Kuhn statistical segment (A), characterizing the rigidity of macromolecules, was determined from hydrodynamic models using the theory of a persistent model. The values of A greatly exceed the corresponding values for flexible (coil-shaped macromolecules) and for linear siloxanes. This confirms the ladder structure of the double main chain of the polymers under investigation. The values of segmental anisotropy, anisotropy of the monomer unit and the unit length of the macromolecules in the CLPhS samples were determined from dynamooptical properties. A comparison of the rigidity for the three CLPhS samples investigated (one of them studied previously) shows that it is different for different samples. This fact suggests that the flexibility mechanism of polymers of this type is affected by the defectiveness of structure, i.e. by the occurrence of single bonds in the main chain. It is shown that the study of hydrodynamic and optical properties of the molecules of such polymers may serve as a sensitive method for detection and quantitative investigation of defectiveness of structure.     

Conformational properties of aromatic polyesters of terephthalic acid

Hydrodynamic (sedimentation, diffusion and viscometry) and optical [flow birefringence (FB)] properties of solutions of p-aromatic copolyesters obtained by the polycondensation of three components

with various molar ratios of N, D and T, have been investigated. Independent methods of quantitative evaluation of the parameter of equilibrium rigidity, the length of the statistical Kuhn segment, for the most rigid of copolymers soluble in tetrachloroethane with the molar ratio of components N:D:T = 0.7:0.3:1 gave the values of A = 160·10^?10 m (translational friction) and 180·10^?10 m (FB). The equilibrium chain rigidity of an insoluble p-aromatic polyester containing no D component, ensuring chain flexibility and polymer solubility, was evaluated from the dependence of birefringence on copolymer composition. The value of the statistical Kuhn segment obtained in this case A = (500–800)·10^?10m is close to that for the most rigid aromatic polyamide-poly-p-benzamide.     

Molecular Weight Development in Free‐Radical Polymerization with Polyfunctional Chain‐Transfer Agents, 1. Equal Reactivity Model

The analytic expression for the weight‐average molecular weight development in free‐radical polymerization that involves a polyfunctional chain‐transfer agent is proposed. Free‐radical polymerization is kinetically controlled; therefore, the probability of chain connection with a polyfunctional chain‐transfer agent as well as the primary chain‐length distribution changes during the course of polymerization. We consider the primary chains formed at different times as different types of chains, and the heterochain branching model is used to obtain the weight‐average chain length at a given conversion level in a matrix formula, described as P_w = W { D _w + ( I + T ) SP ( I – TSP )^–1 D_f }. Because the primary chains are formed consecutively, the number of chain types N is extrapolated to infinity, but such extrapolation can be conducted with the calculated values for only three different N values. The criterion for the onset of gelation is simply described as a point at which the largest eigenvalue of the product of matrixes, TSP reaches unity, i. e., det  ( I – TSP ) = 0. The present model can readily be extended for the star‐shaped polyfunctional initiators, and the relationships between the model parameters and kinetic rate expression for such reaction systems are also shown.     

Performance of a rigid rod statistical mechanical treatment to predict monolayer ordering: a study of chain interactions and comparison with molecular dynamics simulation

A statistical mechanical model that treats hydrocarbon self-assembled monolayer (SAM) chains as rigid rods is examined to interrogate the mechanisms involved in monolayer ordering. The statistical mechanical predictions are compared to fully atomistic molecular dynamics simulations of SAMs with different packing densities. The monolayer chain order is examined as a function of surface coverage, chain-surface interactions, and chain–chain interactions. Reasonable interaction potentials are deduced from ab initio electronic structure calculations of small model systems. It is found that the chain-surface interaction is the most important parameter in formation of flat-lying monolayer phases, while formation of standing phase monolayers is driven most importantly by increased density of molecules at the surface. A brief discussion of the utility and validity of the rigid rod treatment is given in light of the molecular dynamics results.     

An unprecedented 1D ladder coordination polymer based on a pentanuclear copper(II) 2,4,6-tris(dipyridin-2-ylamino)-1,3,5-triazine building block

Copper(II) nitrate reacts with the rigid polydentate triple-connecting dpyatriz ligand in acetonitrile to an unprecedented infinite molecular ladder in which five-coordinated copper pseudo-dimer are bridged by nitrate anions and the coordination polymer chains are linked by hexacoordinated copper ions leading to the formation of large guest cavities.     

Molecular characteristics and surface layer structure of poly(siloxane imides)

The effects of spontaneous ordering of molecular chains of poly(siloxane imide) block copolymers in the surface layers of thin films on glass and gold supports have been studied by the oblique polarized beam and photoelasticity methods. The effective thermodynamic rigidity of molecular chains of the block copolymers (the statistical segment length) has been found to be A = 10.4 × 10^?7 cm. The orientational ordering of molecular chains in poly(siloxane imide) surface layers is characterized by small values of the orientational order parameter (S ₀ ～ 0.007). This finding is explained by the microphase separation of the block copolymers. The evaporated gold layer contributes to the effect of surface birefringence owing to formation of the ordered system composed of islets—clusters of gold atoms.     

Spontaneous molecular orientation of polyimides induced by thermal imidization (4): Casting- and melt-induced in-plane orientation

Driving forces of in-plane chain orientation of polyimides (PIs) and their precursors were discussed and the mechanisms were proposed. A polyimide precursor, poly(amic acid) (PAA) derived from 3,3′,4,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (s-BPDA) with p-phenylenediamine (PDA) showed a certain degree of in-plane orientation in its solution-casting process and clear molecular weight dependence. The results allowed us to propose the casting-induced in-plane orientation mechanism of the rigid PAA chains. The imidization-induced in-plane orientation mechanism was also discussed by investigating how residual solvent content influences the degree of in-plane orientation of resultant PI films. The results suggested that the magnitudes of the PI chain in-plane orientation are dominated by a combined effect of the initial PAA orientation, apparent stretching based on a great thickness decrease, and the molecular mobility during thermal imidization. In a system derived from s-BPDA with 2,2′-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzidine (TFMB), the effect of molecular mobility during thermal imidization was predominant when cured under usual thermal conditions owing to the presence of the trifluoromethyl groups contributing to weakened intermolecular interaction. In s-BPDA/TFMB and s-BPDA/m-TOL systems (m-TOL = m-tolidine), a melt-induced in-plane orientation phenomenon was observed at temperatures corresponding to their T_g’s when the extents of in-plane chain orientation (f values) were monitored as a function of temperature in the stepwise heating process. This behavior is very curious because there are no appreciable dimensional, morphological, and structural changes as some driving forces just above the T_g of s-BPDA/TFMB.     

Fourier transform infrared study of uniaxially oriented atactic polystyrene

Infrared measurements of the dichroic ratio of atactic polystyrene absorption bands provide a valuable method of determination of the overall orientation of chains as well as the particular orientation of the trans conformational segments. The orientation process produces the alignment of the chains as well as an increase in the amount of trans conformational segments. A linear relationship is observed between birefringence and dichroic ratio for the absorption bands characteristic of overall orientation. A value of 35° ± 3° is obtained for the angle between the normal to the plane of the benzene ring and the chain axis from both infrared and birefringence determinations.     

Flow birefringence and flexibility of the molecules of copolymers of para- and meta-aromatic polyamides

Flow birefringence (FB) of solutions of poly-p-phenyleneterephthalamide (PpPhTPhA), poly-m-phenyleneisophthalamide (PmPhIPhA) and 13 of their copolymers, with various compositions, has been investigated. The number S of monomer units in a Kuhn segment was determined for all samples from the experimental values of the shear optical coefficient Δn/Δτ. Molecular models for homo- and copolymers were considered. On the basis of these models, an equation expressing the dependence of the chain flexibility parameter 1/S on copolymer composition Z was derived. Good agreement between the experimental dependence of 1/S on Z and the theoretical value confirms the additivity of the structural and deformation mechanisms of flexibility in polymer chains.     

Molecular characterization and glassy-state properties of poly(spiro[2,4]hepta-4,6-diene)

Poly(spiro[2,4]hepta-4,6-diene) (PSHD) is a random copolymer composed of 1,2 and 1,4 units. Although PSHD has been reported to have a very large Sakurada–Mark–Houwink exponent (a = 1.71) characteristic of rigid rods, a new determination of the intrinsic viscosity–molecular-weight relation for fractionated samples with known copolymer composition gives a smaller value (0.81). The rigidity of the PSHD molecule was also investigated by calculations of the conformational energy associated with the main chain and the dynamic viscoelasticity associated with the molecular motion in a solid state. A sharp potential energy minimum occurs at a dihedral angle χ₁ = 260° in polymer composed of all trans 1,4 units. The dynamic loss tangent for the primary absorption decreases with increasing fraction of the 1,4 unit. These properties result from the characteristics of the stiff 1,4 unit sequences in the molecular chain. The density of PSHD decreases with increasing content of 1,4 units and was found to be considerably smaller than values for typical polymers, in relation to the occupied volume of the repeat unit. This fact can be explained by the peculiar aggregation state of molecular chains composed of rigid and flexible units.