POLY(METHYLPHENYL) SILANE - STRUCTURAL-PROPERTIES

The physical structure of poly(methylphenyl)silane (PMPS) has been inv estigated using wide-angle x-ray scattering at various temperatures an d optical polarizing microscopy. The results obtained by these techniq ues clearly show the existence of an ordered phase in PMPS. The crysta llinity of our sample was estimated to be about 10% at room temperatur e. Below 190 degrees C, the atactic chains pack into a monoclinic crys talline lattice of near hexagonal symmetry, with two types of disorder existing in the packing. At about 190 degrees C, a phase transition t o a liquid crystalline columnar hexagonal packing (D-ho) occurs. Final ly, the sample melts into an isotropic amorphous phase. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.