Synthesis, characterization and spectroscopical investigation of poly(paraphenylenevinylene) (PPV) polymers with symmetric alkoxy side-chain lengths

A modified Gilch polymerization method, with optimized synthesis procedures were utilized to prepare poly(phenylene vinylene) (PPV) derivatives of differing symmetric alkoxyl substituents. The characterization techniques elemental analysis, FT-IR, NMR and LC-MS were utilized for all structural elucidations. 1H NMR spectra of the symmetric dialkyl PPV polymers gave aliphatic protons in region d 0.84-4.15 ppm and aromatic protons in region d 7.15-7.19 ppm. The polymers gave yields 37-69% with number-average degree of polymerization (-DPn) of range 39-68 and polydispersity indices (PDI) in range 2.61-3.59. Further, the molecular weights, weight-and z-average (-)Mw and (-)Mz of the polymers were calculated to be in range 35,150-79,770 and 41,300-91,020, respectively. SEM was utilized to examine surface morphologies and the cross sections of symmetrical dialkyl PPV polymer films. The HCl-doped films of the symmetrical dialkyl PPV polymers gave electrical conductivities in range 0.1847-0.4585 Scm(-1). These conductive polymers gear attraction in electronic industries as active semiconductor materials.