Synthesis and characterization of novel poly(phenylene sulfide) containing a chromophore in the main chain

A kind of novel poly(phenylene sulfide)s (PPSs) containing a chromophore group were synthesized by the reaction of dihalogenated monomer and sodium sulfide (Na2S center dot xH(2)O) via nucleophilic substitution polymerization under high pressure. The polymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, XRD, DSC, TGA, mechanical testing and dissolvability experiments. The intrinsic viscosity of the polymers obtained with optimum synthesis conditions was 0.22-0.38 dl g(-1) (measured in 1-chloronaphthalene at 208 degrees C). These polymers were found to have good thermal performance with a glass transition temperature (T-g) of 90.5-94.6 degrees C and initial degradation temperature (T-d) of 475-489 degrees C, showing improved thermal properties compared with homo-PPS. At the same time the resultant resins had a high tensile strength of 67.5-74.1 MPa and compressive strength of 70.7-85.4 MPa. Additionally, these polymers exhibited a weak UV-visible reflectivity minimum at 450-570 nm, and the fluorescence spectra of the polymers showed maximum emission around nearly 370 nm. Also they showed excellent chemical resistance and another special property-bright shiny colors changed into different colors in acid solution. (C) 2014 Society of Chemical Industry