Synthesis and properties of poly(aryl ether ether ketone) copolymers with pendant methyl groups

Polyether ether ketone and polyether ether ketone copolymers were prepared by the nucleophilic substitution reaction of 4,4'-difluorobenzophenone with hydroquinone and with varying mole proportions of hydroquinone and methyl hydroquinone using sulfolane solvent in the presence of anhydrous K2CO3. The polymers were characterised by different physico-chemical techniques. The crystallinity of the polymers was found to decrease with increase in concentration of the methyl hydroquinone units in the polymer. Thermogravimetric studies showed that all the polymers were stable upto 430 degreesC with a char yield above 49% at 900 degreesC in N-2 atmosphere. The glass transition temperature was found to increase and the crystalline melting temperature and activation energy were found to decrease with increase in concentration of the methyl hydroquinone units in the polymer. (C) 2004 Published by Elsevier Ltd.