Synthesis, characterization and thermal stability of phosphazene terpolymers with 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy and diacetone D-glucofuranosyl pendant groups

Six different phosphazene polymers have been synthesized with varying ratio s of 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethanol and diacetone D-glucofuranose to determine how these pendant groups affect the physical, chemical, and thermal charact eristics of these terpolymers. Diacetone D-glucofuranose serves as the hydr ophobic substituent and 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethanol is the hydrophilic subst ituent on the phosphazene backbone. Characteristics of the polymers made in this study reflect a blend of the two substituents, ranging from powders t o viscous fluids. Thermal analysis was used to quantify the thermal stabili ty and water swellability of the polymers. Additionally, DSC was employed t o determine composition based on the Fox equation. Compositions were then v erified by integratable proton NMR indicating the validity of the Fox equat ion for predicting T-g transitions in phosphazene terpolymers. Laser Light scattering (LLS) revealed that the weight-average molecular weights were in the 10(7) gmol(-1) range with mean square radii between 150 and 200nm. (C) 2000 Society of Chemical Industry.