Refractory Metal-Containing Polymers and Nanocomposites: Preparation and Properties

Summary: Novel polymers containing refractory metal in the main chain or side chains can be prepared. An attractive approach is polymerization of the Hf (Ta, Nb)-monomers with (meth)acrylate, fumarate or monomethylmethacrylate ethyleneglycol groups, synthesized for the first time in this study. New types of hafnium (tantalum, niobium)-containing nanocomposites are prepared by combining polymer synthesis and controlled thermolysis. The composition and structure of the synthesized metal-containing precursors and thermolysis products are determined by elemental analysis, IR and ¹H-NMR spectroscopies, X-ray diffraction and TEM analysis.