SOLUTION PROPERTIES AND CHAIN STIFFNESS OF POLY(ACENAPHTHYLENE)

Solution properties of poly(acenaphthylene) (PACN) were investigated i n a theta solvent (1,2-dichloroethane) and a good solvent (chloroform) . The viscosity exponent alpha was found to be 0.50 at both 35 and 41- degrees-C in 1,2-dichloroethane. Unperturbed dimensions found from vis cometric measurements were compared with those of other vinyl aromatic polymers. Calculation of the chain flexibility parameters led to the conclusion that PACN is a rather stiff chain compared to other vinyl p olymers with its characteristic ratio C(infinity) of 18.2 and chain fl exibility parameter lambda of 7.