Higher Average Molecular Weight Research Articles

Utilization of CO2 in supercritical conditions for the synthesis of cyclic poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) via emulsion and homogeneous reactions

In this study, cyclic poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (cPNIPAAM) was synthesized in supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) using emulsion and homogeneous reactions for the first time. This was accomplished by applying free radical polymerization and nitroxide compounds to produce low molecular weight precursors in the SC-CO2 solvent. The cyclization reaction occurred in a homogeneous phase in the SC-CO2 solvent, with dimethylformamide (DMF) serving as a co-solvent for dissolving the linear precursor. This reaction was also conducted in emulsion of SC-CO2 in water. The effects of pressure and time on the morphology, molecular weight, and yield of a difunctionalized chain were investigated, where a higher pressure led to a higher yield. The maximum yield was 64% at 23 MPa, and the chain molecular weight (Mw) was 4368 (gr/mol). Additionally, a lower pressure reduced the solubility of materials (particularly terminator) in SC-CO2 and resulted in a chain with a higher molecular weight 9326 (gr/mol), leading to a lower conversion. Furthermore, the effect of cyclization reaction types on the properties of cyclic polymers was investigated. In cyclic reactions, the addition of DMF as a co-solvent resulted in the formation of a polymer with a high viscosity average molecular weight (Mv) and a high degree of cyclization (100%), whereas the CO2/water emulsion resulted in the formation of a polymer with a lower Mv and increased porosity. Polymers were characterized by 1HNMR, FTIR, DSC, TLC, GPC, and viscometry tests. The results were presented and thoroughly discussed.

Structural evolution of in situ polymerized poly(L-lactic acid) nanocomposite for smart textile application

This present study demonstrated the preparation of a highly crystalline anatase (ana) form of titanium oxide (TiO2) doped silk nanocrystal (SNC) nanohybrid (ana-TCS) of diameter (7.5 ± 1.4 nm) by the sol–gel method using titanium (IV) butoxide as the hydrolysis material. This prepared nanohybrid with surface hydroxyl groups acted as a co-initiator for the synthesis of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA)-g-ana-TSC nanocomposite with grafted PLLA chains via the in situ polymerization technique, using tin-octoate as a catalyst. The fabricated nanocomposite had a high number average molecular weight of 83 kDa with good processibility. This prepared nanocomposite was hydrophobic in nature, with a contact angle of 105°, which was further enhanced to 122 ± 1° when processed via electrospinning technique into a non-woven fabric. The prepared nanocomposite could degrade up to 43% methylene blue dye in 15 days. This nanocomposite showed no significant molecular weight reduction after 1 h of aqeous treatment, which could be attributed to its hydrophobic nature, inhibiting its degradation. However, 50% degradation was observed for the nanocomoposite whereas, PLLA demonstrated 25% degradation in 15 days, after its end-of-life. Thus, this study revealed that the in situ synthesized PLA-ana-TCS nanocomposite could be targeted for use as a hydrophobic, self-cleaning, dye-degradable fabric.

The Molecular Composition of Humic Acids in Permafrost Peats in the European Arctic as Paleorecord of the Environmental Conditions of the Holocene

The purpose of our research is focused on examination of the transformation regularities of molecular composition of humic acids (HAs) in the hummocky frozen peatlands of the European Arctic as a marker of climatic changes in the Holocene, and assessment of the stabilization of soil organic matter under the conditions of modern climatic warming. Histosols located in the two subzones of the European Arctic served as the research subjects. This territory is actively used for reindeer breeding, which is a vital agricultural branch in the Far North of the Russian Federation. The data obtained reveal the main trends in the formation of HAs from Arctic peatlands under different environmental conditions. Modern peat sediments (top layers) in the middle and late Holocene period formed out of bryophyte residues and contained HAs with long-chain carbohydrate and paraffin structures in their composition. These structures enlarged the dynamic radii of HA molecules, and, thus, caused high average molecular weight values. The more favorable climatic conditions of the early Holocene (the Atlantic optimum) defined the botanical composition of peat, which was dominated by tree and sedge communities with high contents of lignin components and, as a consequence, a larger share of aromatic fragments, characterized by thermo-biodynamic resistance in HAs of horizons in the lower and central profile parts. The molecules of HAs are an archive of paleoclimatic records. The Subboreal and Subatlantic climatic conditions determined the specifics of vegetation precursors and, as a result, the molecular structure of HAs in seasonally thawed layers, with a predominance of long-chain aliphatic fragments. The conversion of HAs from Histosols led to an increase in the proportion of carbon in branched and short-chain paraffinic structures with their subsequent cyclization and aromatization. The results of this process are most clearly manifested in layers formed during the Holocene I and II climatic optima. Higher biologically active temperatures of the seasonally thawed layer of soils at bare spots (without vegetation) determined the accumulation of thermodynamically more stable HA molecules with a high content of aromatic fragments. This contributed to both the stabilization of the SOM and the conservation of peatlands in general.

Production of a high molecular weight levan by Bacillus paralicheniformis, an industrially and agriculturally important isolate from the buffalo grass rhizosphere.

A new exopolysaccharide (EPS) producing Gram-positive bacterium was isolated from the rhizosphere of Bouteloua dactyloides (buffalo grass) and its EPS product was structurally characterized. The isolate, designated as LB1-1A, was identified as Bacillus paralicheniformis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence and phylogenetic tree analysis. The EPS produced by LB1-1A was identified as a levan, having β(2 → 6) linked backbone with β(2 → 1) linkages at the branch points (4.66%). The isolate LB1-1A yielded large amount (~ 42g/l) of levan having high weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 5.517 × 107Da. The relatively low degree of branching and high molecular weight of this levan makes B. paralicheniformis LB1-1A a promising candidate for industrial applications.

Kumagawa and Soxhlet Solvent Fractionation of Lignin: The Impact on the Chemical Structure.

We investigated the effects of solvent fractionation on the chemical structures of two commercial technical lignins. We compared the effect of Soxhlet and Kumagawa extraction. The aim of this work was to compare the impact of the methods and of the solvents on lignin characteristics. Our investigation confirmed the potentialities of fractionation techniques in refining lignin properties and narrowing the molecular weight distribution. Furthermore, our study revealed that the Kumagawa process enhances the capacity of oxygenated solvents (ethanol and tetrahydrofuran) to extract lignin that contains oxidized groups and is characterized by higher average molecular weights. Furthermore, the use of tetrahydrofuran after ethanol treatment enabled the isolation of lignin with a higher ratio between carbonyl and other oxidized groups. This result was confirmed by attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), 13C NMR and two-dimensional (2D) NMR spectroscopies, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and analytical pyrolysis-gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Py-GC–MS) analysis. Ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectra evidenced the enrichment in the most conjugated species observed in the extracted fractions. Elemental analyses pointed at the cleavage of C-heteroatom bonds enhanced by the Kumagawa extraction.

Composition and Characterization of Water Extractable Pectin from Pulp in Pods of Riang (Parkia timoriana (DC.) Merr.)

The purpose of this study was to preliminary investigate the extraction condition and composition of purified pectin from pulp in pods of Riang (Parkia timoriana (DC.) Merr.), a native tree in southern Thailand. Dry pulp of Riang was extracted using water or citric solvent at different concentrations under the same condition (90 ℃ for 2 h). It was found that the highest yield of pectin (21.6 % dry basis) was obtained by hot water extraction with an esterification degree of 48.3 %. It mainly contained 62.3 % galacturonic acid, followed by 18.5 % total sugar. The monosaccharides found in pectin were arabinose (2.6 %), galactose (2.3 %), glucose (1.5 %), mannose (0.5 %), fructose (0.5 %) and xylose (0.1 %). The finding pectin had a high average molecular weight of 2,070 KDa with a broad polydispersity index of 4.31, determined by high performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) and it was classified as low methoxyl pectin confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and rheological properties.
 HIGHLIGHTS
 
 Pectin from Riang pulp was low methoxyl pectin
 This pectin was water extractable and showed a high yield of 21.6 % (dry basis)
 It had high molecular weight with broad polydispersity index.
 
 GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

The structure and flocculation characteristics of a novel exopolysaccharide from a Paenibacillus isolate

Bioflocculants like polysaccharides are excellent alternatives to harmful synthetic flocculants and usability under stricter levels of ecosystem protection. In this study, an exopolysaccharide producing strain Paenibacillus sp. M21629 was isolated. The exopolysaccharide was abundant in carboxylic groups and named floccuronic acid with a high weight average molecular weight of 2.38 × 108 Da. The hexasaccharide repeating units of floccuronic acid were →3)-α-D-Manp-(1 → 3)-4-Suc-β-D-Manp-(1 → 3)-β-D-Glcp-(1 → 4)-β-D-GlcpA-(1 → 4)[4,6-Pyr-β-D-Galp-(1 → 3)]-β-D-Galp-(1→. The floccuronic acid at 0.5–1 ppm showed high turbidity removal efficiency in kaolin suspension (99.8%), coal wastewater (98.8%), and high-turbidity drinking water (89.2%). The flocculation ability of floccuronic acid depended on the instability of solid particles. Owing to these encouraging results, floccuronic acid is expected to be a useful bioflocculant applied in wastewater treatment and the utilization of water resources.

A comparison of the solvent liquefaction of lignin in ethanol and 1,4-butanediol

This study compares the depolymerization of soda lignin via solvent liquefaction in ethanol and 1,4-butanediol (BD). The commercial soda lignin was fractionated based on solubility in ethyl acetate and methanol providing three fractions (F1 – soluble in ethyl acetate and methanol, F2 - insoluble in ethyl acetate and soluble methanol, F3 – insoluble in either) which varied mostly based on their molecular weight ranges with the average molecular weight following the order F1 <F2 <F3. The whole lignin and its factions were subjected to solvent liquefaction in ethanol and BD at 300 °C, to test the use of a high boiling solvent (BD) to reduce the required reaction pressure. Use of neat BD resulted in a bio-oil similar to that produced via pyrolysis of lignin, and which had a higher average molecular weight and fewer remaining methoxy groups than those produced in ethanol. This may be attributable to differences in lignin solubility in the two solvents. The addition of formic acid was also examined in each solvent. Use of formic acid in combination with BD promoted crosslinking resulting in bio-oil with higher molecular weight. The use of lignin bio-oils from each solvent were compared as feedstocks for the production of bio-pitch, finding that those produced in BD provided a coking value closer to that required for many applications.

Synthesis of polyglobalide by enzymatic ring opening polymerization using pressurized fluids

Here, the synthesis of polyglobalide (PGl) by enzymatic ring-opening polymerization (e-ROP) is investigated, using pressurized carbon dioxide (CO2), pressurized CO2+ dichloromethane (DCM), and pressurized propane as solvents. Particularly, the effects of phase equilibrium on the course of e-ROP and PGl final properties are discussed. The partition coefficients of CO2, DCM, propane, globalide and PGl were calculated with help of thermodynamic models, providing proper understanding of monomer partitioning in the reaction system. Reactions performed in pure CO2 resulted in monomer conversions of 100%. Besides, when only one liquid phase was present inside the reactor, PGl samples presented low polydispersities and high average molecular weights. When carried out in CO2+ DCM, e-ROP resulted in lower monomer conversions and PGl samples with higher polydispersities and lower average molecular weights. Finally, reactions carried out in pressurized propane (200 bar) produced PGl samples with the highest average molecular weights among the analyzed products.

On the slow crack growth process and associated structure–property relationships in polyamide 12 grades

AbstractThe influence of micro‐structural changes within polyamide 12 (PA12) grades on their resistance against crack initiation and subsequent Slow Crack Growth (SCG) was examined. Possible micro‐deformation mechanisms and processes guiding slow crack extensions in PA12 are discussed. Special focus was put on the formation of plastic zones as predecessors to microscopic cracks prior to crack initiation via crack freezing analysis. Simultaneously, variations in the pure SCG resistance after a recorded craze‐crack transition were determined via cyclic Cracked Round Bar (CRB) tests. In that context, a homologous series of PA12 grades of increasing molecular weight (MW), as well as a systematically developed series of PA12 grades incorporating a pigment and/or an impact modifier, were selected for this study. Results show a good correlation between the crack initiation resistance and the disentanglement resistance of PA12 chains as well as the size of the plastic zone. In that context, an increasing average MW, leads to increasing disentanglement resistances due to hydrogen bond effects. An impact modification promotes the development of notably larger plastic zones. Contrarily, colored grades exhibit a reduced plastic zone size, rendering a lower amount of dissipated energy before physical crack initiation. Pure SCG resistance follows a similar trend and is improved by high average MW as well as the use of impact modifier. Crack growth acceleration, however, is assumed to occur alongside the relatively weak interfaces between polymer matrix and pigments.

Ultrasonic-Assisted Extraction of Codonopsis pilosula Glucofructan: Optimization, Structure, and Immunoregulatory Activity.

In recent years, multiple edible polysaccharides from Codonopsis pilosula were mainly isolated with high average molecular weights and exhibited various bioactivities, but it was proven that low-molecular-weight polysaccharides could exert stronger activities due to the superior water solubility and permeability. In the present study, the water-soluble polysaccharide C. pilosula with low molecular weight was isolated under ultrasonic assistance at 30 °C, the extraction process was optimized via response surface method (RSM), and the structure and immunoregulatory activity were further investigated. The maximum yield (4.86%) for crude polysaccharides (cCPPs) was obtained under following parameters: ultrasonic power of 370 W, liquid/material ratio of 33 mL/g, ultrasonic time of 81 min. Subsequently, the cCPPs were further purified through dialysis and Sephadex G-25 column to acquire purified polysaccharide (CPPs). Structural analysis indicated that CPPs was a glucofructan (average molecular weight of 4.23 × 103 Da) with (2→1)-β-D-Fruf and (1→)-α-D-Glcp as the backbone branched by (2→6)-β-D-Fruf. Additionally, CPPs could enhance immunoregulatory function by stimulating NO production and cytokine (IL-6 and TNF-α) secretion of RAW264.7 macrophages dose-dependently, which presented no cytotoxic effects. These data suggest that CPPs have the potential to be used as a nutritional dietary compound and natural immunostimulant supplement in the food industry.

Fighting SARS-CoV-2 with green seaweed Ulva sp. extract: extraction protocol predetermines crude ulvan extract anti-SARS-CoV-2 inhibition properties in in vitro Vero-E6 cells assay

Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, there is a need to screen for novel compounds with antiviral activity against SARS-COV-2. Here we compared chemical composition and the in vitro anti- SARS-COV-2 activity of two different Ulva sp. crude ulvan extracts: one obtained by an HCl-based and another one by ammonium oxalate-based (AOx) extraction protocols. The composition of the crude extracts was analyzed and their antiviral activity was assessed in a cytopathic effect reduction assay using Vero E6 cells. We show that the extraction protocols have a significant impact on the chemical composition, anti- SARS-COV-2 activity, and cytotoxicity of these ulvan extracts. The ulvan extract based on the AOx protocol had a higher average molecular weight, higher charge, and 11.3-fold higher antiviral activity than HCl-based extract. Our results strongly suggest that further bioassay-guided investigation into bioactivity of compounds found in Ulva sp. ulvan extracts could lead to the discovery of novel anti-SARS-CoV-2 antivirals.

Characterization of Melanoidins and Color Development in Dulce de Leche, a Confectionary Dairy Product With High Sucrose Content: Evaluation of pH Effect, an Essential Manufacturing Process Parameter.

The effect on color of the initial pH employed in dulce de leche (DL) production was evaluated through physicochemical and spectroscopical characterization of the melanoidins formed in the process. Melanoidins originated at pH values of 6.5, 7.0, and 7.5, and they were released by the enzymatic hydrolysis of the protein backbone and purified by gel filtration. They showed a significant degree of polydispersity, in general, with molecular weights (MWs) below 1,800 Da. DL produced at a higher pH released melanoidins with higher average MW after the enzymatic hydrolysis. They also presented darker colors (dE*ab, C*), more closely resembling those typical of the commercial product. Analysis of the fractions isolated by gel filtration using HPLC-DAD and multinuclear NMR showed an heterogeneous and complex composition. Even though structurally related, the 1H NMR spectra of melanoidins showed a higher degree of aromaticity at higher pH values. In conclusion, the pH employed in DL production affects the amount and structure of the colored products originated by MR reactions, and thus the color of the final product.

Biobased unsaturated polyesters containing trans-2-butene-1,4 -diol and various dicarboxylic acids: Synthesis, characterization, and thermo-mechanical properties

Trans-2-butene-1,4-diol (tB), a renewable unsaturated monomer prepared from erythritol, is a promising building block for future biobased unsaturated polyesters. Herein, a series of biobased unsaturated polyesters based on tB and eight linear α, ω-diacids was explored by melt-polycondensation. Under the optimized reaction conditions, the alkene bonds of tB were intact in the polyester backbones with no isomerization or saturation side reactions taking place during the polymer synthesis even without a radical quencher adding. Surprisingly, the synthetic unsaturated polyesters reached high weight average molecular weight (Mw) up to 93.0 kDa. These results indicated that tB was an ideal unsaturated monomer used for the synthesis of biobased unsaturated polyesters with well-defined structure. Moreover, the structure–property relationships of the unsaturated polyesters were discussed via studying the effect of chain length on crystalline and thermo-mechanical properties. The result of tensile test manifested that tB performed better than 1, 4-butanediol in improving the tensile stress of polyesters. Among the synthetic polyesters, poly(trans-butene suberate)(PtBSu), poly(trans-butene sebacate) (PtBSe), and poly(trans-butene dodecanedioate) (PtBDo) gave Tm of 61.2−78.5 °C, satisfactory crystalline property, and exhibited comparable or even better tensile properties compared with most industrial aliphatic polyesters. Overall, tB was a promising candidate for replacing petroleum-based monomers for the preparation of unsaturated polyesters with superior thermomechanical properties.

Self-assembly behavior of ultra-high molecular weight in-situ anionically synthesized polymer matrix composite materials “grafted from” single- or multi-wall CNTs

A pioneering synthetic approach for the design of novel composite materials is reported. The final products are consisting of high number average molecular weight diblock copolymers which are surface initiated (“grafting from” approach) from either single or multi-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs or MWCNTs respectively). In-situ anionic polymerization results in nanocomposites, exhibiting narrow dispersity indices which are in accordance with anionic polymerization standards, able to self-assemble when studied in bulk. The polymer matrices are diblock copolymers of the PS-b-PI type [PS: polystyrene and PI: poly(isoprene)]. The successful “grafting from” the corresponding CNTs is verified by Raman and Χ-Ray Photoelectron spectroscopy, while the structure/properties relationship of the composites is determined employing High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR-TEM). HR-TEM characterization is very important for the successful identification of the MWCNTs as well as for the justified conformation of the polymeric chains grafted from the CNTs.

Chitosan effects on monolayers of zwitterionic, anionic and a natural lipid extract from E. coli at physiological pH

Langmuir monolayers are used to simulate the biological membrane environment, acting as a mimetic system of the outer or the inner membrane leaflet. Herein, we analyze the interaction of membrane models with a partially N-acetylated chitosan (Ch35%) possessing a quasi-ideal random pattern of acetylation, full water solubility up to pH ≈ 8.5 and unusually high weight average molecular weight. Lipid monolayers containing dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl choline (DPPC), dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl ethalonamine (DPPE), dipalmitoyl phosphatidyl glycerol (DPPG) or E. coli total lipid extract were spread onto subphases buffered at pH 4.5 or 7.4. The incorporation of Ch35% chitosan caused monolayer expansion and a general trend of decreasing monolayer rigidity with Ch35% concentration. Due to its relatively high content of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) units, Ch35% interactions with negatively charged monolayers and with E. coli extract were weaker than those involving zwitterionic monolayers or lipid rafts. While the smaller interaction with negatively charged lipids was unexpected, this finding can be attributed to the degree of acetylation (35%) which imparts a small number of charged groups for Ch35% to interact. Chitosan properties are therefore determinant for interactions with model cell membranes, which explains the variability in chitosan bactericide activity in the literature. This is the first study on the effects from chitosans on realistic models of bacterial membranes under physiological pH.

Control of the temperature responsiveness of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) copolymer using ultrasonic irradiation

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (poly(NIPAM-co-HEMA)) is a temperature-responsive copolymer that is expected to be applicable as an advanced functional polymeric material in various fields. In this study, a novel method was developed to control the responsive temperature of poly(NIPAM-co-HEMA) using an ultrasonic polymerization technique. Initially, the behavior of the reaction was investigated using NIPAM and HEMA monomers under ultrasonic irradiation. A high ultrasonic power was found to produce a high reaction rate and low number average molecular weight of the copolymer. The polydispersity of the synthesized copolymer was approximately 1.5 for all ultrasonic powers examined. In the early stage of the reaction, the molar fraction of NIPAM in the copolymer was lower than the initial molar fraction of the monomers. It was concluded that ultrasonic irradiation affected the initiation reaction and polymer degradation, but did not affect the propagation reaction. Furthermore, the effect of the ultrasonic irradiation conditions on the temperature responsiveness of the copolymer was investigated. The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the copolymer was found to increase with increasing ultrasonic irradiation time. In addition, in the early stages of the reaction, the measured values of the LCST were higher than the estimated values using copolymer composition. This can be attributed to some parts of the copolymer chain possessing a higher NIPAM fraction than the overall fraction due to different reactivities of the monomers and terminated radicals. This hypothesis was indirectly verified by the synthesis of a block copolymer from the PNIPAM homopolymer and HEMA monomer.

Fluorinated β‐Ketoiminate Zinc Complexes: Synthesis, Structure and Catalytic Activity in Ring Opening Polymerization of Lactide

AbstractComplexes LZnR (L=C6F5NC(CF3)C(H)C(CF3)O; R=Me 1; Et 2) and L2Zn(thf)2 (3) were synthesized and analyzed by NMR (1H, 13C, 19F) and IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and single crystal X‐ray diffraction. Complexes 1 and 2 are dinuclear in the solid state but monomeric in toluene solution according to diffusion‐ordered spectroscopy (DOSY‐NMR). They showed poor activity in the ring opening polymerization (ROP) of lactide (LA) but moderate activity in the presence of benzyl alcohol (BnOH), yielding polymers with high number average molecular weight (Mn) and moderately controlled molecular weight distribution (PDI). Homonuclear‐decoupled 1H NMR analysis of polylactic acid (PLA) obtained from rac‐LA showed isotactic enrichment of the polymer microstructure, and kinetic studies of the ROP of L‐LA with complex 2 showed a first order dependence of the monomer concentration. Analyses of low molecular weight polymers by 1H NMR and MALDI‐ToF mass spectrometry demonstrated the coordination‐insertion mechanism (CIM).

Controlling antimicrobial activity and drug loading capacity of chitosan-based layer-by-layer films

We report on layer-by-layer (LbL) films of chitosans (CHI) and hyaluronic acid (HA) whose properties could be controlled by employing chitosans with different degrees of deacetylation (DD¯ ≈ 85%; 65%; 40%) and high average molecular weight (ca. 106 g/mol). In spite of their high molecular weight, these chitosans are soluble within a wide pH range, including physiological pH. HA/CHI LbL films produced from polymer solutions at pH 4.5 were thinner, smoother, more hydrophilic than those prepared at pH 7.2. This is attributed to the more extended conformation adopted by chitosan due to its very high charge density at low pH, favoring a compact chain packing during the film formation and resulting in lower film thickness and roughness. The smoother HA/CHI LbL films obtained at pH 4.5 were effective against Escherichia coli, while the thicker, rougher LbL films fabricated at pH 7.2 could be used in the controlled released of Rose Bengal dye. In summary, the tuning of only two parameters, i.e. solution pH and DD¯ of chitosans, provides access to a library of HA/CHI LbL films for tailored, diversified applications.

Clickable perfluorocyclobutyl aryl ether polymers bearing azido groups: synthesis and post-functionalization

A novel class of clickable perfluorocyclobutyl (PFCB) aryl ether polymers containing azido groups (APFCB polymers) is reported. The thermal cyclopolymerization reaction of 2-methyl-1,4-bis(1,2,2-trifluorovinyloxy)benzene was first optimized by DSC, GPC and 19F NMR, and the matrix polymer (PFCB-Me) with high average molecular weights (Mw = 13.61 × 104 g/mol) and molecular weight distributions (Mw/Mn = 1.68) was obtained. Then, a series of APFCB polymers with tunable azido contents were successfully prepared from the PFCB-Me polymer by bromination and azidation. Post-functionalization of APFCB polymers with sulfonate functionality was accomplished by Cu(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition click chemistry. The prepared polymers were characterized by FT-IR and NMR spectra, while the thermal properties and solubility were also investigated. The APFCB polymers exhibit glass transition temperatures in the range of 67 °C to 73 °C and good solubility in common organic solvents. This work suggests that the designed APFCB polymers may be a promising versatile platform for developing new functional PFCB aryl ether polymers.