Synthesis and Characterization of Phosphorus Containing Polymers for the Purpose of Polymer Derived Ceramics
Abstract
This dissertation focuses on the synthesis and characterization of phosphorus containing polymers for the purpose of polymer derived ceramics. These networks are composed of three different monomeric compounds, and it was found that changes to the stoichiometry of these resulted in different properties such as thermal stability and swellabilty. Through the analysis of these properties, optimal stoichiometries were decided upon that provided the best ceramic yield and were still able to swell in solvents. These polymeric candidates were then subjected to further reactions as the phosphorus sites present in the networks were tertiary phosphines (Lewis bases). Reacting these phosphines with a Lewis acid resulted in successful coordination. The resulting ceramics were characterized using SEM-EDX and XPS spectroscopies.