CRYSTALLIZATION AND MELTING BEHAVIOR OF POLY(FERROCENYLDIMETHYLSILANES) OBTAINED BY ANIONIC-POLYMERIZATION

A series of poly(ferrocenyldimethylsilanes) (PFS) with narrow molar ma ss distribution were prepared via anionic ring-opening polymerization. The thermal behavior and morphology of these materials were investiga ted. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) experiments showed multip le melting endotherms upon heating after isothermal crystallization. M elting of thin lamellae and recrystallization into thicker lamellae ac counted for these multiple transitions. Wide-angle X-ray scattering (W AXS) showed that the crystal structure remained unchanged during heati ng. An increase in the long-period observed with temperature-dependent small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) supported the assumption that lam ellar thickening occurs. The semicrystalline polymers showed a melting behavior as described by the Hoffman-Weeks equation, leading to an eq uilibrium melting temperature of 143 degrees C.