Some properties and morphology of poly(2-vinyl pyridine)-g-polyoxyethylene

Emulsifying properties, phase-transfer catalysis properties, crystalline properties, dilute solution properties and conductive properties of poly(2-vinyl pyridine) with uniform polyoxyethylene grafts (P2-VP-g-PEO) were studied. The results, showed that the graft copolymers can emulsify the benzene/water system and increase the conversion of potassium phenolate during the Williamson reaction of solid potassium phenolate with n-butyl chloride or n-butyl bromide. The crystallinity of the graft copolymers increased with both content and molecular weight of PEO grafts, but diminished after the copolymer was complexed with LiClO₄. After neutralization with HCl solution, the copolymers exhibited properties of polyelectrolytes in solution. Intramolecular phase separation phenomenon was indicated for dilute solutions of the graft copolymer. After the PEO grafts were doped with LiClO₄ or after the P2-VP main chains were doped with TCNE, the copolymers showed ionic or electronic conductivity, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicated that these graft copolymers exhibit microphase separation.