Novel Poly(linolenic acid) Graft Copolymers: Synthesis, Characterization and Electrical Properties

A poly(linolenic acid)-g-poly(tert-butyl acrylate) graft copolymer was synthesized from polymeric linolenic acid peroxide possessing peroxide groups in the main chain by free radical polymerization of tert-butyl acrylate. Graft copolymers having structures of poly(linolenic acid)-g-poly(caprolactone)-g-poly(tert-butyl acrylate) were synthesized from polymeric linolenic acid, possessing peroxide groups on the main chain by the combination of free radical polymerization of tert-butyl acrylate and ring-opening polymerization of epsilon-caprolactone in one-pot. The obtained graft copolymers were characterized by proton nuclear magnetic resonance, gel permeation chromatography, thermal gravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and scanning electron microscopy techniques. Furthermore, Au/n-Si diodes were fabricated with and without poly(linolenic acid)-g-poly(caprolactone)-g-poly(tert-butyl acrylate)-4 to form a new interfacial polymeric layer for the purpose of investigating this polymer's conformity in electronic applications. Some main electrical characteristics of these diodes were investigated using experimental current-voltage measurements in the dark and at room temperature.