Relations between molecular aggregation state and mechanical properties in poly(diisopropyl fumarate)

Abstract

The backbone chain of poly(diisopropyl fumarate) (PDiPF) has a high rigidity. PDiPF molecules are aggregated as a nematic liquid crystal-like structure in film cast from solution. The lateral extent of the liquid crystal-like order is evaluated to be ∼ 9 nm. The β absorption of loss modulus E″ appeared at 370 K in the film and is associated with the motion of bulky ester groups. The storage modulus E′ was ∼ 1 GPa below the β absorption temperature, whereas a relatively high value of ∼ 0.1 GPa was retained in the temperature range from 390–500 K, since the high rigidity of the backbone chain is kept.