Synthesis and characterization of nitrogen-rich azo-linked conjugated polymer materials

ABSTRACT

Efficient azo-linked polymers of 2,4,6-tris(4-nitrophenyl)pyridine-melamine (TNPP-M), and 2,4,6-tris(4-nitrophenyl)pyridine-sulfanilamide (TNPP-S) were prepared by condensation polymerization technique from TNPP-based monomer reacting with amines as melamine and sulfanilamide. The synthesized polymer structure was confirmed by various experimental techniques, such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, solid-state ¹³C NMR, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Particle size was calculated using Williamson–Hall (W–H) plot from powder XRD pattern. The thermal analysis and scanning electron microscopy of TNPP-S polymer displayed an excellent thermal stability and capsule-like morphology was observed. UV/visible absorptions of TNPP-S and TNPP-M polymers exhibit two bands, a strong band at 365 nm, and a shoulder at 385 nm for TNPP-M; these polymeric semiconducting materials could be useful for solar fuel cell applications.

KEYWORDS:

• Azo-polymer
• energy
• semiconductor
• sulfanilamide
• thermal stability
• Williamson–Hall