| Abstract: | o‐(2,2,3‐Tricyano‐3‐carbomethoxycyclopropyl)phenoxyethyl acrylate ( 5a ) and o‐(2,2,3‐tricyano‐3‐carbomethoxycyclopropyl)phenoxyethyl methacrylate ( 5b ) were prepared by reactions of bromomalononitrile with methyl o‐(2‐acryloyloxyethoxy)benzylidenecyanoacetate and methyl o‐(2‐methacryloyloxyethoxy)benzylidenecyanoacetate respectively. The dipole moments of 5a and 5b , calculated by atom superposition and electron delocalization molecular orbital method, were 2.75–3.47 D. Monomers 5a and 5b were polymerized with free‐radical initiators to obtain the polymers with tricyanocyclopropane ring as a piezoelectric chromophore in the pendant group. The resulting polymers 6a and 6b were soluble in common organic solvents such as acetone and DMF. Polymers 6a and b showed thermal stability up to 280 °C in TGA thermograms. Tg values obtained from DSC thermograms were in the range 125–140 °C. Piezoelectric coefficients (d31) of the poled films were 1.2–1.4 pC N?1. These polymers showed good temporal and long‐term thermal stabilities which are acceptable for piezoelectric device applications. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry |
