Xiongyan Zhao

Miscibility and interactions in blends and complexes of poly(4-methyl-5-vinylthiazole) with proton-donating polymers

Abstract The miscibility and interactions in blends and complexes of poly(4-methyl-5-vinylthiazole) (PMVT) with poly(p-vinylphenol) (PVPh), poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and poly(vinylphosphonic acid) (PVPA) were studied. PMVT formed complexes with PVPA but not with PVPh and PAA. Each of the blends of PMVT with PVPh and PAA showed a single glass transition temperature (Tg), indicating miscibility. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopic and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic studies provided the existence of interactions in the PMVT blends and complexes. The XPS studies indicated that the thiazole nitrogen atoms are involved in hydrogen-bonding interactions with PVPh and PAA, and ionic interactions with PVPA. The sulfur atoms of PMVT also interact with PVPh, PAA and PVPA.

Synthesis, characterization and dual photochroic properties of azo-substituted polythiophene derivatives

In this paper, novel azo-substituted polythiophene derivatives, poly[4-((4-(phenyl)azo)phenoxy)butyl-3-thienylacetate] (PATh-4) and the copolymer of 3-hexylthiophene and 4-((4-(phenyl)azo)phenoxy)butyl-3-thienylacetate (COP64) were synthesized. The structure and photo-electronic behavior of both polythiophene derivatives were characterized by NMR, FT-IR, UV-Vis, XRD, GPC and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The results showed that the azo photoactive side chains not only modify their own UV-Vis absorption but also affect the photoluminescent features associated with the polythiophene conjugated backbone. This indicates that the photoluminescent properties of polythiophene derivatives can be modified through a photo-induced isomerization (trans-cis) reaction of azo chromophores in the side chains.

Preparation of plasma-polymerized benzonitrile derivatives and their femtosecond time-resolved optical Kerr effect

Abstract Two kinds of linear soluble conjugated polybenzonitrile derivatives, plasma-polymerized aminobenzonitrile (PPABN) and plasma-polymerized nitrobenzonitrile (PPNBN), were successfully prepared by radio frequency glow discharge techniques. The results of Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and UV-Visible absorption spectra revealed that extensively conjugated CN double bonds have been formed in the plasma-polymerized benzonitrile derivatives. The femtosecond time-resolved optical Kerr effect (OKE) was used to measure the third-order optical nonlinearity. For the first time, an ultrafast response and non-resonant OKE of both polybenzonitrile derivatives were observed. Furthermore, the effects of molecular weights of polymers and their molecular structures on nonlinear optical properties were also investigated.

Synthesis, characterization, and application of semi-interpenetrating liquid crystalline polymer networks LCP/PS

Attempts to extend the IPN technology to liquid crystalline polymer (LCP) systems have been made in search for a new approach for enhancing the compatibility of liquid crystalline polymer with engineering thermoplastics. A new type of interpenetrating polymer network based on liquid crystalline polymer: semi-interpenetrating liquid crystalline polymer network comprising liquid crystalline polymer PET/60PHB (LCP) and crosslinked polystyrene (PS) (for short: semi-ILCPN LCP/PS) has been successfully prepared. The compatibility and thermal properties of the semi-ILCPN LCP/PS with different amount of crosslinking agent were investigated by FTIR, SEM, DSC, and TGA, respectively. Furthermore, the possible application of the semi-ILCPN LCP/PS as a new kind of compatibilizer in PPO/LCP blends was also studied and discussed. Well-compatibilized PPO/LCP composites with considerably improved mechanical properties were obtained.

Compatibilization of PPO/LCP blends by semi-interpenetrating liquid crystalline polymer networks LCP/PS

A new approach for enhancing the compatibility of liquid crystalline polymers (LCPs) with engineering thermoplastics is developed in this paper. By adding a new type of compatibilizer to poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (PPO)/LCP blends (semi-interpenetrating LCP network (ILCPN) comprising the liquid crystalline polymer poly-(ethylene terephthalate)/p-hydroxybenzoic acid (PET/60PHB) and crosslinked polystyrene), a well-compatibilized PPO/LCP composite with considerably improved mechanical properties was obtained. Compared with the uncompatibilized PPO/LCP blend, the bending strength and the Izod impact strength of the compatibilized sample with 5% semi-ILCPN increased more than 2 and 4 times, respectively.

Synthesis and characterization of conjugated polycyanamide with ultrafast optical Kerr effect

Abstract The conjugated polycyanamide (PCN) was successfully prepared by radio frequency glow discharge techniques. The structure of PCN was characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), UV–Visible absorption spectra and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), which revealed that extensive conjugation was formed in the polymer PCN. The subpicosecond time-resolved optical Kerr effect (OKE) was used to measure the third-order optical nonlinearity of PCN samples. For the first time, an ultrafast response and nonresonant optical Kerr effect of plasma polymer PCN was observed.

Preparation, characterization and femtosecond time-resolved optical Kerr effect of plasma polybenzonitrile derivative films

AbstractPlasma-polymerized thin films based on two benzonitrile derivatives, aminobenzonitrile (ABN) and nitrobenzonitrile (NBN), were prepared by r.f. glow discharge techniques. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and UV-Visible absorption spectra revealed that extensively conjugated C

Photoregulated Sol-Gel Transition of Novel Azobenzene-Functionalized Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose and Its α-Cyclodextrin Complexes

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