Synthesis and characterization of a polyacetylene derivative with phenylazobenzene moieties

J Nanosci Nanotechnol. 2011 Aug;11(8):7386-9. doi: 10.1166/jnn.2011.4802.

Abstract

A new polyacetylene derivative was prepared by the activated polymerization of 2-ethynylpyridine by using 4-(phenylazo)benzoyl chloride without any additional initiator or catalyst in high yield. The chemical structure of poly[2-ethynyl-N-(4-(phenylazo)benzoyl) pyridinium chloride [PEPABPC] was characterized by such instrumental methods as NMR, IR, and UV-visible spectroscopies to have a conjugated polymer backbone system with the designed azobenzene moieties. The electrooptical and electrochemical properties of PEPABPC were studied. The photoluminescence spectrum showed that the PL peak is at 597 nm corresponding to the photon energy of 2.07 eV. The cyclovoltammograms of PEPABPC exhibited the irreversible electrochemical behaviors between the oxidation and reduction peaks. The oxidation current density of PEPABPC versus the scan rates is approximately linear relationship in the range of 30 mV/sec-150 mV/sec. It was found that the the kinetics of the redox process of this polymer is controlled by the reactant diffusion process from the oxidation current density of PEPABPC versus the scan rates.