Chain extension and inter-chain packing order in rigid-rod polymers as determined by WAXD

Conference · Fri Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1993

OSTI ID:141892

Song, H H; Dotrong, M ^[1]; Evers, R C ^[2]

---

1. Univ. of Dayton Research Institute, OH (United States)
2. Wright Lab., OH (United States)

Chain extension and inter-chain packing of poly(p-phenylene benzobisthiazole) (PBZT) and its derivatives having pendents such as 2,6-dimethylphenoxy (phenoxy-PBZT) and poly(etherketone) (PBZT-g-PEK) were examined by wide angle x-ray diffraction (WAXD), assuming the polymer chains in a complete nematic phase. Results suggested that the PBZT polymer chains form a ribbon-like conformation rather than of a fully extended rigid-rod. The extent of chain extension of the polymers was highly dependent on the processing history. Much larger chain extension was observed in the highly oriented fibers than in the powders or the bulks. Grafting pendents also reduced the chain extension of rigid-rod polymers, while heat-treatment hardly influenced the chain extension in contrast to the substantial effect noted in the inter-chain packing. The large difference observed in the chain extension between the fibers and the powders or the bulks implied that the individual polymer chains in the fiber might possess quite different physical properties from those of the powders or the bulks.

• OSTI ID: 141892
• Report Number(s): CONF-930304--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
40 CHEMISTRY
MICROSTRUCTURE
MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
ORGANIC POLYMERS
STRUCTURAL CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
THIAZOLES
X-RAY DIFFRACTION