Novel Phosphorous-Containing Aromatic Polyethers – Synthesis and Characterization

Summary: The synthesis of novel phosphorous-containing aromatic polyethers P-PEEK and P-PSU, based on poly(ether ether ketone)s (PEEK) and poly(ether sulfone)s (PSU) was carried out successfully by using phosphorous-containing aromatic diols instead of bisphenol A in the usual synthesis procedure. The molecular weights of the P-PEEKs and P-PSUs obtained reflect both the influence of the different halogen components used and the lower thermal stabilities of the phosphorous-containing diols compared to bisphenol A. However, polymers with sufficient molecular weights could be obtained, having interestingly high Tgs, high thermal stabilities as well as modified flame retardance properties depending on the diol type incorporated.Comparison of the molecular weights of the synthesized P-polyethers.