Processing of the Multifunctional Polymer Poly(phenylene methylene) into Fibers, Films, Foams, and Microspheres

Abstract

AbstractPoly(phenylene methylene) (PPM) has recently emerged as a promising multifunctional polymer, requiring straightforward one‐step synthesis to achieve high molar mass and featuring a range of attractive properties. Its processability, however, has not been explored in detail to date. Therefore, this study presents a comprehensive investigation of the processability of PPM into a wide range of forms by employing various polymer processing techniques. Thin fibers (diameter ≈100 µm) over 1 km in length and shorter thick fibers (diameter ≈1 mm) are produced by melt spinning. Although no crystallinity is observed, the fibers surprisingly exhibit pronounced birefringence. The capability for waveguiding red light within the fibers is also demonstrated. Furthermore, films with a broad thickness range, spanning nanometer to millimeter length scales, are fabricated using different approaches such as spin‐coating, hot pressing, and die casting. All films feature a very smooth and crack‐free surface topography. Additionally, freestanding foams of PPM are obtained by foaming highly concentrated solutions, and quasi‐monodisperse microspheres are prepared by a microfluidic high‐throughput emulsification. The material properties of these different specimen forms are investigated and discussed for implementation as products ranging from plastic optical fibers and light emitting diodes, to protective coatings and packaging, as well as insulators and separation membranes.