One-dimensional order in atactic polyacrylates containing aromatic side groups

To help in the understanding of the relations between chemical structure and morphological order in polymers of the type of poly(p-biphenyl acrylate) (PPBA), some polymers of similar structure have been synthesized and some of their physical properties studied. These polymers are: poly(p-biphenyl methacrylate), poly(vinyl p-phenyl benzoate), poly(p-phenyl benzyl acrylate), poly(p-benzyl phenyl acrylate) and poly(p-cyclohexyl phenyl acrylate) (PPCPA). Only PPCPA has been shown to possess a one-dimensional order in the solid state for reasons which are briefly discussed.The effect of copolymerization on the structural order of PPBA has also been given preliminary study. Copolymers of p-biphenyl acrylate (PBA) with p-biphenyl methacrylate (PBMA), N-vinyl carbazole (NVC) and p-cyclohexyl phenyl acrylate (PCPA) have been prepared and their properties have been studied by DSC and X-ray techniques. Small concentrations of PBMA or NVC units are sufficient to cancel the order of PPBA. On the contrary, copolymers of PBA and PCPA of any composition display morphological order in the solid state.