Poly[bis(trifluoroethoxyphosphazene)] films were studied using mechanical and dielectric loss spectroscopies, and photoelasticity and birefringence measurements. Glass transition temperature (-70°C), temperature of the transition to mesomorphic state and spontaneous disordering in surface layers (70°C), temperature of the transition of mesophase to a new modification (120°C), and the temperature of isotropization and transition of the polymer to amorphous state (225°C) were determined. It was demonstrated that the segmental optical anisotropy of poly[bis(trifluoroethoxyphosphazene)] in bulk is two times higher than that in solution. On this basis, a conclusion was made that strong orientational interaction exists between the molecules of polymer; this interaction accounts for the higher thermodynamic rigidity of poly[bis(trifluoroethoxyphosphazene)] chains in bulk polymer than in solution. It was found that the chain fragments of the polymer are predominantly oriented parallel to the film surface. Optically anisotropic surface layers are approximately 110 μm thick, that is, their thickness is about 2-3 times larger than that in amorphous carbochain polymers; this indicates that the molecules of poly[bis(trifluoroethoxyphosphazene)] show a marked tendency to orientational ordering.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)349-352
Number of pages4
JournalPolymer Science - Series B
Volume38
Issue number9-10
StatePublished - Sep 1996

    Scopus subject areas

  • Ceramics and Composites
  • Polymers and Plastics
  • Materials Chemistry

ID: 94264743