POLY (N-VINYLCARBAZOLE) AND (α-POLMETHYLSTYRENE) BASED SEMI INTERPENETRATING POLYMER NETWORK: SYNTHESIS AND CHARACTERIZATION

Abstract

A series of interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) based on poly(N-vinylcarbazole) and poly(α-methylstyrene) were synthesized using benzoylperoxide (BPO) as initiator and divinyl benzene as crosslinker. The IPNs were characterized using infrared spectroscopic technique, differential scanning calorimetric analysis, thermal gravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscope techniques. FTIR spectra of the synthesized polymeric network revealed the band positions for poly(N-vinylcarbazole), at 2923 cm-1, 1600 cm-1 and 1629 cm-1, and for poly(α-methylstyrene) at 3019 cm-1, 1484 cm-1, 707 cm-1 and 1451 cm-1. The relatively shortened peak value (1595 cm-1 CH-CH2-) of vinyl group in poly(α- methylsytrene) justify the disappearance of double bond which is a clear indication of bonding between the two polymer networks leading to IPN formation. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) graph showed glass transition temperature (Tg) at 449ºC, which indicate crystalline nature of synthesized IPN. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) graph showed thermal stability of IPN upto 395ºC. Fluorescence spectra of IPN at the visual range near 450 nanometer also predicts its good optical properties. The SEM image showed a transparent and dual morphology of the synthesized polymeric network. The properties like percentage swelling, average molecular weight (Mc) between crosslinker are in direct function of initiator (benzoyl peroxide) and poly(N-vinyl carbazole) but inverse function of monomer (α- methylsytrene) and crosslinker (divinyl benzene).