Synthesis and Physico-Chemical Study of High Performance Cardo Copoly(Ether-Sulfone-Sulfonates)

Abstract

Copoly(ether-sulfone-sulfonates) of 9,9′-bis (4-hydroxy phenyl) anthrone-10 (BAN) 4,4′-dihydroxy diphenyl sulfone and 4,4′ disulfonyl chloride diphenyl ether of varying compositions (PSS-I: 75:25:100, PSS-II: 50:50:100, PSS-III: 25:75:100) were synthesized by an interfacial polycondensation technique using H2O-CHCl3 as an interphase, alkali as an acid acceptor, and CTAB as an emulsifier at 0°C for 3 h. PSS-I to PSS-III are characterized by IR and NMR spectral data, viscosity, and density (1.4032–1.4410 g cm−3) by the floatation method. PSS-I to PSS-III (73–89 µm thick) possess, respectively, 9.50, 21.6 and 30 MPa tensile strength; 4.40 × 1015, 4.30 × 1015 and 5.50 × 1014 ohm-cm volume resistivity, and 31.5, 28.0 and 20.5 kV/mm electric strength. Copolymers possess excellent solubility, good hydrolytic stability against water, acids, alkalis, and salt. PSS-I to PSS-III are thermally stable up to about 250–300°C in a nitrogen atmosphere, and are involved apparently in a single-step decomposition reaction. Different magnitudes of kinetic parameters suggested different degradation mechanism.