INFLUENCE OF TRACES OF WATER ON THE SYNTHESIS AND ELECTROLUMINESCENCE PROPERTIES OF POLY(2-METHOXY, 5- (2' -ETHYLHEXYL OXY)- 1, 4-PHENYLENE VINYLENE)

It was found that traces of water in the reaction medium would result in a great increase of gel and a decrease of Molecular weight of the poly(2-methoxy,5-(2'-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene) during the polymerization, which ultimately led to inferior film qualities and device properties. The device (ITO/PEDOT/MEH-PPV/Ba/Al) with MEH-PPV prepared under dry conditions has an external quantum efficiency of above 2.0%.

TRANSFER HYDROGENATION OF KETONES BY PROPAN－2－OL OVER POLY（PHENYLENE OXIDE） ANCHORED RUTBENIUM CATALYST

Both aliphatic and aromatic ketones are efficiently transfer-hydrogenated by propan-2-ol under mild conditions in the presence of a catalytic amount of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-Phenylene oxide) (PPO) anchored ruthenium complex and sodium hydroxide. An important feature of this polymer anchored catalyst is its stability in air.

NOVEL HYPERBRANCHED POLY(PHENYLENE OXIDE)S WITH PHENOLIC TERMINAL GROUPS: EFFECTS OF REACTION TIME AND CORE MOLECULES ON THE MOLECULAR WEIGHT AND POLYDISPERSITY

A novel hyperbranched poly（phenylene oxide） （HPPO） with phenolic terminal groups was prepared from 4-bromo-4＇,4＂-dihydroxytriphenylmethane as AB2 monomer in dimethylsulfoxide （DMSO） via a modified Ullmann reaction. The molecular weight and polydispersity （PD） of the resulting polymers increased with increasing reaction time. In the presence of core molecules （bisphenol A and 1,3,5-trihydroxybenzene）, which have the similar molecular backbones to the reactive monomer, the molecular weight could be controlled by varying the core-to-monomer ratio. Incorporation of a very small amount of core molecules could lead to a higher molecular weight as compared with that without the addition of core molecules. However, when the core content reached certain extent, the molecular weight would decrease with the further increase in the core content. A new similar behavior of control over the PD was also obtained. The resulting polymers were characterized by ^1H-NMR, ^13C-NMR, FT-IR, and GPC.

The Synthesis and Characterization of High Molecular Weight Poly(phenylene sulfide/ether)

Poly（phenylene sulfide/ether） （PPSE） was synthesized from 4,4＇-dihydroxydiphenyl sulfide and 4,4＇-dichlorodiphenyl sulfide in solution by nucleophilic substitution reaction. The resulting polymer was characterized by viscosity measurement, elemental analysis, FT-IR, ^1H NMR, X-ray diffraction and thermal analysis. The results showed that the viscosities of the resulting polymer were above 0.68 dL/g, and the linear chain structure of product was confirmed. PPSE had the same reflex indices as poly（p-phenylene sulfide）, an orthorhombic crystalline with unit cell a=0.853, b=0.562, c=1.026nm. The melting temperature, glass transition temperature and initial decomposition temperature were found to be 228℃, 85℃ and 325℃, respectively. The product was soluble in common organic solvents such as NMP, N, N＇-dimethylformamide, N, N＇-dimethylacetamide and 1,2-dichloroethane.

The Insulator-to-Conductor Transition in Sulphonated Poly(Phenylene Oxide)Polymer membranes:Percolation Theory Approach

In this paper the percolation theory is employed to study the insulator-to-conductortransition in sulphonated poly（phenylene oxide）（SPPO） polymer membranes.The membranes withdifferent sulphonation degree were prepared and infrared characterized.The transition thresholdwas calculated by the experimental data of membrane conductivities and the coordination numberwas thus estimated.The functional group-SO3H distribution in the membrane was evaluated inaccordance with the calculations and showed a non-random dispersion on the microscopic scale.

SYNTHESIS AND MORPHOLOGICAL STRUCTURE OF POLY (PHENYLENE SULFIDE AMIDE)

Poly(phenylene sulfide amide) (PPSA) has been synthesized by using sulfur as S source which reacts with dichlorobenzamide (DCBA) and alkali in polar organic solvent at the atmospheric pressure. The polymer structures were determined by elemental analysis, FT-IR and H-1-NMR. It is shown that the yielded polymer has linear structure and its structure unit is -p-C6H4-CONH -p-C6H4-S-. The polymer morphology was studied by X-ray diffraction and polarized microscopy. The results show that PPSA is a crystalline polymer and its spherulites are the aggregation of nontwisting lamella or micro-thread structure. Under shearing force, these crystals are dispersed to form micro-fibrillar structure. The decomposition kinetics of PPSA was also studied at different heating rates. The decomposition energy of PPSA is higher than that of PPS.

Hydration effect on the electronic transport properties of oligomeric phenylene ethynylene molecular junctions

A first-principles computational method based on the hybrid density functional theory is developed to simulate the electronic transport properties of oligomeric phenylene ethynylene molecular junctions with H2O molecules accumulated in the vicinity as recently reported by Na et al. [Nanotechnology 18 424001 （2007）]. The numerical results show that the hydrogen bonds between the oxygen atoms of the oligomeric phenylene ethynylene molecule and H2O molecules result in the localisation of the molecular orbitals and lead to the lower transition peaks. The H2O molecular chains accumulated in the vicinity of the molecular junction can not only change the electronic structure of the molecular junctions, but also open additional electronic transport pathways. The obvious influence of H2O molecules on the electronic structure of the molecular junction and its electronic transport properties is thus demonstrated.

NOVEL SYNTHESIS OF POLYARYLENESULFONIUM CATIONS THROUGH A MULTI-ELECTRON TRANSFER PROCESS

The oxidative polymerization of aryl sulfoxides provides a novel polysulfo-nium compound, poly(methylsulfonio-1,4-phenylenethio-1,4-phenylene cation) in quantita-tive yield. The polymerization proceeds efficiently in an acidic solution under atmosphericconditions. Oxygen, chemical and electrochemical oxidations are available. Vanadyl acety-lacetonate and cerium ammonium nitrate act as an effective catalyst for the oxygen ox-idative polymerization. The polymerization mechanism involves multielectron oxidation ofthe sulfides followed by successive electrophilic substitution. The resulting polyarylenesul-fonium cations are useful as a soluble precursor for the synthesis of high molecular weight(M_w>10~5) poly(thio arylne)s.

GAS SORPTION AND TRANSPORT IN POLY (PHENYLENE OXIDE)(PPO)AND ARYL-BROMINATED PPO MEMBRANES

The apparent solubility (S), concentration-average diffusivity (D), and permeability (P), for C0_2, CH_4 and N_2 through PPO and aryl-brominated PPO at 35℃ for pressure ranging from 1 to 26 atm are reported. It is found that P, D, and S of the membranes to all the three gases vary with the extent of bromination. S increases with the increase of the percent of bromine in each case, but D to CO_2 increases remarkably only at higher degree of brominafion, and therefore, P to CO_2 is increased by more than 100% over a wide range ofpressure in the case. The solubility data are well described by the dual mode sorption model. It is found that the gas molecules sorbed by the Langmuir mode are relatively more immobilized and the contribution of the nonequilibrinm character of the polymer to gas permeation increases obviously for CO_2 and is hardly changed for CH_4 with increasing bromine content. These observations are interpreted in terms of changes in specific free volume (SFV)and the cohesive energy density (CED) of the polymers.

EFFECT OF SOLVENT COMPOSITION ON THE SULFONATION DEGREE OF POLY(PHENYLENE OXIDE) (PPO)

This paper investigates the possibility of attaining sulphonated poly(phenylene oxide) (SPPO) with a relativelyhigher sulfonation degree. To achieve this aim, the approach we adopt is to improve the solubility of the final product in themixed solvent so that the sulfonation may take place between the bulk solutions and PPO powders even at higher sulfonationdegree. It is shown that the addition of a proper amount of dimethyl formide (DMF) to the conventional PPO-chloroformsystem can actually enhance the sulfonation effect. The solvent composition is then correlated with the sulfonation degreebased on the solubility parameters. It is interesting to find that solubility parameters between the mixed solvent and theprecipitated products keep an approximately unchanged value at about 4.9, which is just equal to that when pure chloroformis used, though the solubility parameters of both solvents increase with the content of DMF in solution. This may be the mainreason why the addition of DMF can reduce the precipitation and improve the ion exchange capacity (IEC) of SPPOpolymer.

STUDIES ON THE COMPATIBILITY OF PPO MULTI-COMPONENT BLENDS

The compatibility and phase morphology of poly (phenylcne oxide) (PPO) multi-componenet blends with poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and polystyrene (PS) were studied using differentialscanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and scanning electron microsopy (SEM) methods. The effect of glycidyl methacrylate-styrene copolymer (GMS), as a compatibilizer, on the morphology of the PPO blends has also been studied in detail. The influence of the moiecular weight of PET and the synergetic effect of the compatibilizers of GMS and phenoxy on the morphology were examined. The DSC and DMA results show that there are two distinct glass transitions correspondinig to PET and PPO existed, however, the Tg of PPO shifts toward lower temperature region due to the addition of GMS and PS. The SEM results reveal that PET component is as dispersed phases in the PPO matrix, part of which is located at the interfaces due to the interaction with GMS while PS is miscible in the PPO matrix. A

Poly(meta-phenylene) Derivative with Rigid Twisted Biphenyl Units in Backbone:Synthesis,Structural Characterization,Photophysical Properties and Electroluminescence

A soluble poly（meta-phenylene） derivative with rigid twisted biphenyl unit was synthesized by the Yamamoto coupling reaction. The polymer is soluble in common organic solvents, and the number-average molecular weight is about 6500. The UV-Vis and quantum chemical calculation indicate that the different conformation segments named ＂conformers＂ exist in the polymer backbones; it was also further confirmed by the single crystal X-ray diffraction study of the dimeric model compound. The π-π^＊ transition of biphenyl segments of twisted and planar conformations made the polymer exhibit a strong absorption around 256 nm and a weak absorption at about 300 nm. Furthermore, the polymer exhibits a strong UV photoluminescence at 372 nm when the excitation wavelengths are longer than 300 run. The ultraviolet-emitting electroluminescence（EL） device with the single layer structure shows EL λmax of the derivative at 370 nm.

Preparation of Poly (Phenylene Sulfide Amide) by Sulfur Solution Route

A new process for preparing poly(phenylene sulfide amide, PPSA), which is by reaction of sulfur instead of sodium sulfide as S source with dichlorobenzamide (DCBA) and alkali in polar organic solvent at the atmospheric pressure (called sulfur solution route), is reported in the present paper. The influences of polymerization time, molar ratio of precursors, catalyst and solvent upon the polymer were investigated. To seek the best parameters of polymerization, orthogonal design was employed in the experiments. The results indicate that the molar ratio of precursors is the most significant effect on both of viscosity and yield of the polymer. The suitable parameters for preparing the related polymer are presented. The polymer was characterized by IRspectrum, 1HNMRspectrum and Raman spectrum, etc.

STUDY OF THE REACTION BETWEEN α-KETOTHIOANILIDE AND PHENYLENE DIAMINE

When α-ketothioanilide reacts with o-phenylenediamine,there are two competing reactions.One is condensation which forms substituted quinoxaline and the other is substitution which forms substituted quinoxaline-2-thione·By controlling the reaction condition,we can obtain either quinoxaline or quinoxaline-2-thione as the main product.

Thermal Stability Improvement and Structural Change of Oil Gels Formed by Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene Triblock Copolymer Induced by Adding Poly(phenylene ether)

The thermal stability of oil gels formed by styrene-butadiene-styrene triblock copolymer (SBS) was improved by adding a small amount of poly(phenylene ether) (PPE), which has a higher glass transition temperature (Tg). In naphthenic oil which is a good solvent for the butadiene blocks, but a non-solvent for the styrene blocks and PPE, PPE was selectively included into styrene blocks in SBS, and induced the increase of the Tg of these blocks. The melting temperature determined by viscoelastic measurements and softening temperature of the gels were elevated by adding PPE, while no significant change was detected by adding polystyrene. The gel became opaque by adding PPE, and partially separated phases were observed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The dependence of the viscoelastic behavior on the PPE concentration can be explained by the structural change observed by FE-SEM.

Cationic Conjugated Oligomers for Efficient and Rapid Antibacterial Photodynamic Therapy via Both Type Ⅰ and Type Ⅱ Pathways

Recently,photodynamic therapy(PDT)has attracted wide attention due to its less susceptibility to drug resistance,broad-spectrum biocidal activity and biosafety in normal tissues.However,the traditional photosensitizers(Ps)face the disadvantage of poor therapeutic efficacy due to the requirement of an aerobic environment to generate ^(1)O_(2) through Type Ⅱ pathway.Herein,we designed and synthesized a novel cationic conjugated oligomer oligo(phenylene vinylene)(OPV)and studied its antibacterial photodynamic activity against both Gram-negative Escherichia coli(E.coli)and Gram-positive bacteria methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA).Importantly,the OpV can rapidly produce reactive oxygen species(ROs)through double pathways,Type Ⅰ and Ⅱ mechanism under white light irradiation,and efficiently kill E.coli and MRSA at a nanomolar level.The dual type photosensitizing capability makes OPV promising for enhanced PDT to treat pathogens and tumors in complex environments.

The amplified fluorescence quenching of heteroatomic conjugated polymers based on the “molecular wire”effects

Tremendous interest has been evoked in the utility of the fluorescent conjugated polymers towards the creation of ultra-sensitive systems based on the molecular wire effects which can amplify the transduction events. Here, a series of new polymers pyridine substitute poly (phen- ylene ethynylene)s are synthesized by Sonogashira-Hagihara coupling reaction. The impact of structure modification on the physical properties and spectral characteristics of poly-mers has been investigated. The quenching studies are car-ried out and exhibit that recognition site (pyridyle group) highly influences the quenching efficiency. The results show that polymer PI with pyridyl group entrapped in the conju-gated backbone has the specific and sensitive response to Pd(Ⅱ). The fluorescence quenching of PⅠby Pd(Ⅱ) is about 65 times greater than that of model monomer.

Semi-interpenetrating polymer networks toward sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) membranes for high concentration direct methanol fuel cell

Low methanol permeability of proton exchange membranes (PEMs) is greatly important for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). Here, sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) based semiinterpenetrating polymer networks (semi-IPNs) are successfully prepared by interpenetrating SPEEK into the in-situ synthesized crosslinking networks. The polymeric networks are formed by the covalent bonds between bromobenzyl groups of bro mo methylated poly (phenylene oxide) and amine groups of diamine linkers as well as the ionic bonds between amine species and sulfonated groups. Two linkers without and with sulfonated groups are applied to fabricate the semi-IPNs. The core properties of the membranes, like phase separation, water uptake, proton conductivity and methanol permeability, are systematically studied and compared. The DMFCs assembled by using the semi-IPN membranes display better performance than Nafion 117 in high concentration methanol solutions. The present work provides a facile way to prepare PEMs with enhanced DMFC performance.