FTIR-ATR studies of diffusion and perturbation of water in polyelectrolyte thin films. Part 4. Diffusion, perturbation and swelling processes for ionic solutions in SPEES/PES membranes

We report diffusion rates and equilibrium concentrations of water in a polyelectrolyte SPEES/PES film using ATR/FTIR spectroscopy. The data for water obtained by fitting spectral intensities to a dual mode diffusion model in the presence of different counter ions (at 0.2 mol dm⁻³) follow the order Li⁺>Cs⁺>Na⁺>Ca²⁺>K⁺. Diffusion is progressively slower for higher concentrations of NaCl (0.2-0.85 mol dm⁻³) and the NO₃⁻ counter anion leads to a faster diffusion rate than for Cl⁻ at the same concentration. Both water uptake and diffusion rates are broadly consistent with expectations based on the differential degrees of swelling, caused by changes in the SO₃⁻/SO₃⁻ interpolymer chain repulsive forces leading to a decrease in volume diffusion compared with the value for pure water. Direct spectral measurements of the degree of swelling confirm that the process does occur, although the order of the swelling amounts does not map directly onto that of the diffusion rates. This is probably because the interfacial dissociation processes are hydration dependent.     

Electrochemistry of ionophore-coordinated Cs and Sr ions in the tri-1-butylmethylammonium bis((trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl)imide ionic liquid

The selective extraction of Cs⁺ and Sr²⁺ from aqueous solutions by using the ionophores calix[4]arene-bis(tert-octylbenzo-crown-6) (BOBCalixC6) and dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 (DCH18C6), respectively, was demonstrated in the hydrophobic, room-temperature ionic liquid (RTIL), tri-1-butylmethylammonium bis((trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl)imide (Tf₂N⁻). The electrochemistry of Cs⁺ coordinated by BOBCalixC6 and Sr²⁺ coordinated by DCH18C6 was examined at a mercury film electrode (MFE) in this ionic liquid by using cyclic staircase voltammetry, sampled current voltammetry at a rotating electrode, and chronoamperometry. Both BOBCalixC6·2Cs⁺ and DCH18C6·Sr²⁺ exhibit well-defined reduction waves at approximately −2.4 and −2.9 V versus the ferrocene/ferrocenium (Fc/Fc⁺) couple, respectively, in which the coordinated ions are reduced to their respective amalgams, permitting the recycling of the ionophores. The diffusion coefficients of BOBCalixC6·2Cs⁺ and DCH18C6·Sr²⁺ are (2.7 ± 0.1) × 10⁻⁹ and (2.1 ± 0.1) × 10⁻⁹ cm² s⁻¹, respectively, at 30 °C. The coulometric efficiency for the reduction and stripping of Cs at mercury pool electrodes was about 90% and was independent of the deposition time, whereas the efficiency for Sr was slightly less than 90% at short times and decreased with the deposition time, probably due to the formation of a passive layer of Sr(Tf₂N)₂.     

Spectroscopic and structural studies of di-ureasils doped with lithium perchlorate

Di-urea cross-linked POE/siloxane hybrid ormolytes (di-ureasils) doped with a wide concentration range of lithium perchlorate trihydrate (LiClO₄·3H₂O) (200 ≥ n ≥ 0.5, where n expresses the salt content in terms of the number of ether oxygen atoms per Li⁺ ion) have been analysed by Fourier transform infrared and Raman (FT-IR and FT-Raman, respectively) spectroscopies and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results obtained lead us to conclude that the xerogels with n ≥ 5 are totally amorphous. At n ≤ 1 free salt is observed. “Free” ClO₄⁻ ions appear to be the main charge carriers at the conductivity maximum located within the 25 ≤ n ≤ 8 composition range of this family of ormolytes. At n = 15 ClO₄⁻ ions coordinated in mono/tridentate (C_3v symmetry) and bidentate (C_2v symmetry) configurations were detected. In salt-rich samples with n < 15 there is a marked tendency for ionic association. The resulting decrease that occurs in the concentration of “free” ions is consistent with the observed significant decrease of the ionic conductivity. The analysis of the “amide I” and “amide II” regions provided solid proof that the Li⁺ ions bond to the urea carbonyl oxygen atoms over the entire range of salt concentration studied.     

Modeling of iron ore pelletization using 3 ** factorial design of experiments and polynomial surface regression methodology

The process of size enlargement or agglomeration finds a variety of applications in material processing and utilization. Pelletization is one such process which uses water as medium and revolving units (Disc/Drums) to form spherical pellets from fine particulates. Green or wet pelletization is the first step in pelletization process and is of critical importance since the effectiveness of the subsequent stages of drying and in duration depends on the quality and quantity of green pellets.This research presents the work carried out to develop model equations to predict the size distribution of pellets at any given level of intervals. Modeling of pelletization was oriented towards predicting the size distribution of pellets at any given level of variables .The prediction of pellet size distribution involves quantification of the self preserving curve and correlation between D₅₀ and the variables. A new model has been developed to predict the size distribution of the pellets using advanced statistical software “STATISTICA”. The equation Y = − 0.3757X² + 1.6256X-0.74 where “Y” is the cumulative wt.% passing and “X” is D/D₅₀ was used to predict the pellet size distribution.Correlation between D₅₀ and variables was given by “D 50” = 4.226 + (3.106*M) − (0.544*M²) + (2.044*I) − (0.644*I²) + (0.2444*T) − (0.028*T²) − (0.058*M*I) + (0.0917*I*T) using quadratic response surface methodology. The mean pellet diameter “D₅₀” observed versus predicted was compared. A polynomial regression equation was used to quantify the characteristic curve of iron ore slimes agglomeration process. This can be utilized to predict the complete agglomerate size distribution irrespective of the operating conditions and the size of the pelletizer if a relationship such as agglomerate median product size D₅₀, as a function of the operating conditions is made available.     

Influence of the concentration and the nature of the supporting electrolyte on the electrochemical reduction of nitrate on tin cathode

The influences of the potential, the concentration and the nature of the supporting electrolyte on the rate of the reduction of nitrate on tin were studied by both voltammetry and constant potential electrolytic experiments.Both the rate of the reduction of nitrate and the yield of nitrogen increase as the negative potential increases from −1.8 to −2.8 V versus Ag/AgCl, while the yield of nitrite decreases. The yield of ammonia displays a maximum at −2.4 V and consequently decreases.The rate of the reduction at −1.8 V versus Ag/AgCl increases significantly as the concentration of NaCl increases. The cation of the supporting electrolyte increases the rate of the reduction along the series Li⁺ < Na⁺ < K⁺ < Cs⁺. Higher rates than that of the alkalimetals have been obtained in the presence of ammonium as well as of multivalent cations such as Ca²⁺ and La³⁺. The anion of the supporting electrolyte decreases the rate of the reduction in the order I⁻ > Br⁻ > Cl⁻ > F⁻ at −1.8 V.The experimental results were qualitatively explained by the Frumkin theory and additionally by the theory of the formation of ion pairs between the cation of the supporting electrolyte and the reacting nitrate.     

Theoretical insights into PF6 and its alkali metal ion pairs: geometries and vibrational frequencies

The structures, vibrational frequencies, infrared and Raman intensities of hexafluorophosphate anion (PF₆⁻) and M⁺PF₆⁻ (M⁺ = Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺ and Cs⁺) ion pairs have been studied by ab initio calculations. It is shown that the tridentate coordination of cation by PF₆⁻ is the most stable structure in gas phase. The vibrational spectroscopies of the most stable geometries were calculated and the changes in band position were used to probe the ion associations.     

Highly salicylate-selective membrane electrode based on a new thiomacrocyclic Schiff base complex of binuclear copper(II) as neutral carrier

New binuclear metallic complexes of thiomacrocyclic Schiff base, 3,9,13,19 -tetraphenyl-6,16-dithione-1,11-dithio-4,5,7,8,14,15,17,18-octaazacycloeicosa-3,8,13,18-tetraene binuclear metal(II) [M(II)₂-TDDOCT] (M = Cu, Co, Ni), were synthesized and their anion response characteristics were investigated. The performances of the electrodes are considerably influenced by the nature of the central metals. The Cu(II) complex-based electrode exhibited a good selectivity to salicylate anion with an anti-Hofmeister selectivity pattern: Sal⁻ > ClO₄⁻ > SCN⁻ > I⁻ > Benzoate > B_r⁻ > Acetate > F⁻ > SO₃²⁻ > NO₂⁻ > Cl⁻ > NO₃⁻ > SO₄²⁻ > H₂PO₄⁻. The electrode had an excellent linear response to Sal⁻ from 9.0 × 10^− 7 to 1.0 × 10^− 1 M with a slope of − 59.3 mV per decade,a detection limit of 5.0 × 10^− 7 M, and a fast response time within 15 s over the entire concentration series in phosphate buffer solutions of pH 5.0 at 25 °C. Spectroscopic techniques and the influence of lipophilic charged additives on the electrode behavior were used to investigate the response mechanism to Sal⁻. The electrode can be applied to the direct determination of salicylate in human urine and pharmaceutical samples and the results obtained are in accord with the results from a standard method.     

Gas solubilities in ionic liquids using a generic van der Waals equation of state

A family of modified van der Waals equations of state (vdW EOS) is extremely useful for many industrial applications. For example, the generic Redlich-Kwong (RK) EOS or its modification by Soave (SRK EOS) and Peng-Robinson (PR EOS) are still of popular use in industry to the present day. These two most popular (“cubic”) EOSs are based on modifications [1/(V² + bV), or 1/(V² + 2bV − b²)] of the volume dependence on the attractive part of the original van der Waals EOS [1/V²] and also modifications of the temperature dependence of the attractive “a(T)” parameter of the original EOS (constant a). It is extremely rare in actual EOS applications to use the volume dependence of the original van der Waals EOS. In the present phase equilibrium calculations, we employ such a generic vdW EOS, P = RT/(V − b) − a(T)/V², with our well-tested mixing rule for multi-component mixtures. Using the same form of the “a(T)” parameter and the mixing rule, it has been found that all generic RK, PR, and vdW EOSs can present the phase behaviors (temperature-pressure-composition diagrams) equally well. It is shown that experimental gas solubility data (CO₂, CF₃-CFH₂, SO₂, and NH₃) in room-temperature ionic liquids are well correlated with the present EOS model, and also that the phase behaviors such as LLE (liquid-liquid separations) are satisfactorily predicted.     

Mesoporous RuO2 for the next generation supercapacitors with an ultrahigh power density

The 3D mesoporous, well crystalline RuO₂ film prepared via the evaporation-induced self-assembled method (EISA) successfully demonstrates the extremely high power performances (e.g., excellent capacitive behavior at 10,000 mV s⁻¹, ultrahigh-frequency capacitive responses (the absence of a knee point in the Nyquist plot), and 2.6 MW kg⁻¹ with an acceptable energy density of 4.6 Wh kg⁻¹). These excellent capacitive performances were identified by means of voltammetric and electrochemical impedance spectroscopic (EIS) analyses. The mesoporous (with mean pore spacing of 18.1 nm) and crystalline nature of this film was characterized by means of the field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Brunaur-Emmett-Teller (BET) method, small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXRS), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), electron diffraction (ED), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. This mesoporous, well crystalline RuO₂ film constrains the redox transition to the superficial region meanwhile the tailored mesoporous structure increases the electrochemically active centers, promotes the penetration of electrolytes, provides the “proton reservoirs”, and enhances the rate of electron transport simultaneously for the ultrahigh power application. The specific capacitance of this mesoporous RuO₂ can be enhanced from 84 to 185 F g⁻¹ after the microwave-assisted hydrothermal treatment.     

Stabilized heteropolyacid/Nafion composite membranes for elevated temperature/low relative humidity PEFC operation

Organic/inorganic composite membranes with different inorganic heteropolyacid (HPA) additives maintain sufficient proton conductivities for atmospheric pressure elevated temperature (>100 °C) polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) operation. However, membrane and membrane electrode assembly (MEA) processing is severely curtailed because of the solubility of the HPA additives in aqueous media. Composite membranes with the HPA (phosphotungstic acid; PTA) additive rendered insoluble by ion exchanging protons with larger cations such as Cs⁺, NH₄⁺, Rb⁺ and Tl⁺ were fabricated. The additive loss in aqueous media was lowered from nearly 100% (unmodified HPA) to about 5% (modified HPA). The membranes were robust, and demonstrated low H₂ crossover currents of around 2 mA/cm² for a 28 μm thick membrane. All membranes were evaluated at high temperatures and low relative humidities in an operating fuel cell. The conductivities of the composite membranes at 120 °C and 35% relative humidity were on the order of 1.6 × 10⁻² S/cm.     

Study by EQCM on the voltammetric electrogeneration of poly(neutral red). The effect of the pH and the nature of cations and anions on the electrochemistry of the films

Generation of poly(neutral red) films has been studied by means of the simultaneous measurements of current-potential and mass-potential curves during cyclic voltammetry (CV) experiments. It has been proved that the presence of molecular oxygen in the solution increases the amount of polymer deposited on the electrode. Otherwise, using the mass/charge ratio it is possible to obtain quantitative information about the electrodeposition by different procedures. It is observed that this ratio decreases when the amount of polymer electrogenerated increases, except when the polymer is not reduced and oxidised after its electrogeneration. The study of poly(neutral red) by CV and quartz crystal microbalance in solutions without monomer allows to discern between the role of different charged species which are present in the solution: salt cations (Cs⁺, Na⁺ and K⁺), salt anions (NO₃⁻, Cl⁻, I⁻ and Br⁻) and hydrated protons that can compensate electrical charge within the film during electrochemical processes.     

Ion-pairing effects and ion-solvent-polymer interactions in LiN(CF3SO2)2-PC-PMMA electrolytes: a FTIR study

FTIR spectroscopic investigations coupled with ionic conductivity and viscosity measurements on lithium imide (LiN(CF₃SO₂)₂)-propylene carbonate (PC)-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) based liquid and gel electrolytes over a wide range of salt (0.025-3 M) and polymer (5-25 wt.%) concentration range furnish a novel insight into the ion-ion and ion-solvent-polymer interactions. Vibrational spectral data for LiN(CF₃SO₂)₂-PC electrolytes reveal that the solvation of lithium ions manifests from Li⁺OC and Li⁺O (ring oxygens) interactions as the ν_s(CO), the ring breathing and the δ(CH) modes of the pentagonal solvent ring are strongly perturbed for all salt concentrations. The split of the ν(SO₂) mode (that appears at 1355 cm⁻¹ for the “free imide ion”) into two components at 1337 and 1359 cm⁻¹ confirms the existence of contact ion-pairs possessing two different stable optimized geometries wherein the Li⁺ ion coordinates in a bidentate fashion in liquid and gel electrolytes of 3 M LiN(CF₃SO₂)₂-PC strength. Perturbations observed for the ν_a(SNS) and ν_s(SNS) modes of the imide ion and the symmetric ring deformation mode of PC confirms the presence of ion-pairs in both 2 and 3 M electrolytes. Incorporation of even upto 25 wt.% of PMMA in a solution of LiN(CF₃SO₂)₂-PC of 3 M strength results in an insignificant conductivity decline (as σ₂₅>10⁻³ S cm⁻¹) which is simultaneously accompanied by a massive increase in its macroscopic viscosity (as η₂₅>10⁸ cSt). Gels containing 25 wt.% of PMMA exhibit a complex pattern of Li⁺-PMMA interactions through the carbonyl oxygen of its ester group which is evidenced from the perturbations observed for the ν_s(CO) mode of PMMA. Ionic conductivity decline that occurs at salt concentrations ≥1.25 M LiN(CF₃SO₂)₂-PC in both liquid and gel electrolytes, is therefore attributable to (i) ion-pairing phenomenon and (ii) an enhancement in the solution viscosity due to a high salt proportion.     

Sol-gel derived carbon ceramic electrode for the investigation of the electrochemical behavior and electrocatalytic activity of neodymium hexacyanoferrate

The electrochemical properties of an electroactive rare earth metal hexacyanoferrate, neodymium hexacyanoferrate (NdHCF) were studied by mechanically attaching NdHCF samples to the surface of carbon ceramic electrodes (CCEs) derived from sol-gel technique. The resulting modified electrodes exhibit well-defined redox responses with the formal potential of 0.241 V (versus SCE) at a scan rate of 20 mV s⁻¹ in 0.5 M KCl solution. The voltammetric characteristics of the NdHCF-modified CCEs in the presence of different alkali metal cations (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺ and Cs⁺) were investigated by voltammetry. The NdHCF-modified CCEs presented a good electrocatalytic activity towards the reduction of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and was used for amperometric detection of H₂O₂. In addition, the NdHCF-CCEs exhibited a distinct advantage of simple preparation, surface renewal, good stability and reproducibility.     

Adsorption of ochratoxin A (OTA) anodic oxidation product on glassy carbon electrodes in highly acidic reaction media: Its thermodynamic and kinetics characterization

We study the thermodynamics and kinetics of the adsorption of a redox couple having quinone nature on glassy carbon electrodes. This couple is produced by the anodic oxidation of mycotoxin ochratoxin A in 10% acetonitrile + 90% 1 M HClO₄ aqueous solution. The quasi-reversible redox couple was studied by both cyclic (CV) and square wave (SWV) voltammetric techniques. The Frumkin adsorption isotherm best described the specific interaction of the redox couple with carbon electrodes. By fitting the experimental data, we obtained values of −28.4 kJ mol⁻¹ and 0.70 ± 0.02 for the Gibbs free energy of adsorption and the interaction parameter, respectively. SWV fully characterized the thermodynamics and kinetics of the adsorbed redox couple, using a combination of the “quasi-reversible maximum” and the “splitting of SW peaks” methods. Average values of 0.609 ± 0.003 V and 0.45 ± 0.06 were obtained for the formal potential and the anodic transfer coefficient, respectively. Moreover, a formal rate constant of 10.7 s⁻¹ was obtained. SWV was also employed to generate calibration curves. The lowest concentration of mycotoxin was 1.24 × 10⁻⁸ M (5 ppb), measured indirectly with a signal to noise ratio of 3:1.     

Interactions of Some Hofmeister Cations with Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate in Aqueous Solution

In this work, we have investigated the influence of some alkali metal ions on the Krafft temperature (T_K) and critical micelle concentration (CMC) of a classical ionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), over a wide range of temperature. The alkali metal cations such as Li⁺, Na⁺, Cs⁺, and K⁺ are found to affect the solubility and hence the T_K of the surfactant. It was observed that kosmotropic Li⁺ lowers the T_K of the surfactant. Due to the common ion effect, the solubility of SDS decreases in the presence of Na⁺, resulting in an increase in the T_K. On the other hand, chaotropic K⁺ and Cs⁺, capable of forming contact ion pairs with the chaotropic dodecyl sulfate ion, lower the solubility and hence elevate the T_K. In terms of decreasing the T_K, the ions follow the trend: Li⁺ > Na⁺ > Cs⁺ > K⁺ except for 0.0025 M CsCl. The added cations screen the charge of the micelle surface and facilitate closer packing of the surfactant with a consequent decrease in the CMC. In terms of the effectiveness in lowering the CMC, the ions follow the order: Cs⁺ > K⁺ > Na⁺ > Li⁺. In the presence of added electrolytes, the γ_CMC values are found to be lower than the corresponding values in pure water. The thermodynamic parameters (Gibbs free energy, enthalpy, and entropy changes) of micellization were calculated to gain insights into the mechanism of the process.     

Electrochemical behaviour of (111) B-Doped Polycrystalline Diamond: Morphology/surface conductivity/activity assessed by EIS and CS-AFM

Electrochemical activity, morphology and surface electrical conductivity of Boron-Doped Polycrystalline Diamond films prepared by MPCVD have been investigated. Heterogeneous apparent rate constants of three different redox systems, [Fe(CN)₆]^3−/4−, [IrCl₆]^2−/3− and [Ru(NH₃)₆]^3+/2+ have been measured by both Cyclic Voltammetry and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy on < 100 > textured films with a predominance of (111) faces: first measurements have been done with [Fe(CN)₆]^3−/4− only on as grown samples, and secondly after a mild electrochemical pretreatment the three redox systems have been investigated. “As-grown” samples showed a moderate average activity which was related to the presence of a minority of electronically conducting areas among insulating zones. Electrochemical treatment in neutral conditions substantially increased the activity and heterogeneous apparent rate constants k_app for the three couples were measured in the range of 10^− 2 cm s^− 1 with a good stability in time. Current-sensing AFM images performed ex situ showed that the electrochemically pre-treated material presented a high superficial conductivity whereas the grown sample showed major area of low conductivity.     

Ionic liquid electrolytes based on multi-methoxyethyl substituted ammoniums and perfluorinated sulfonimides: Preparation, characterization, and properties

New functionalized ionic liquids (ILs), comprised of multi-methoxyethyl substituted quaternary ammonium cations (i.e. [N(CH₂CH₂OCH₃)_4−n(R)_n]⁺; n = 1, R = CH₃OCH₂CH₂; n = 1, R = CH₃, CH₂CH₃; n = 2, R = CH₃CH₂), and two representative perfluorinated sulfonimide anions (i.e. bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (FSI⁻) and bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (TFSI⁻)), were prepared. Their fundamental properties, including phase transition, thermal stability, viscosity, density, specific conductivity and electrochemical window, were extensively characterized. These multi-ether functionalized ionic liquids exhibit good capability of dissolving lithium salts. Their binary electrolytes containing high concentration of the corresponding lithium salt ([Li⁺] >1.6 mol kg⁻¹) show Li⁺ ion transference number (tLi⁺) as high as 0.6-0.7. Their electrochemical stability allows Li deposition/stripping realized at room temperature. The desired properties of these multi-ether functionalized ionic liquids make them potential electrolytes for Li (or Li-ion) batteries.     

Preparation, characterization and Methylene Blue adsorption of phosphoric acid activated carbons from globe artichoke leaves

Activated carbons were prepared by the pyrolysis of artichoke leaves impregnated with phosphoric acid at 500 °C for different impregnation ratios: 100, 200, 300 wt.%. Materials were characterized for their surface chemistry by elemental analysis, “Boehm titrations”, point of zero charge measurements, infrared spectroscopy, as well as for their porous and morphological structure by Scanning Electron Microscopy and nitrogen adsorption at 77 K. The impregnation ratio was found to govern the porous structure of the prepared activated carbons. Low impregnation ratios (~ 100 wt.%) led to essentially microporous and acidic activated carbons whereas high impregnation ratios (> 100 wt.%) gave essentially microporous-mesoporous carbons with specific surface areas as high as 2038 m²·g^− 1, pore volume as large as 2.47 cm³·g^− 1, and a slightly acidic surface. The prepared activated carbons were studied for their adsorption isotherms of Methylene Blue at pH = 3 and pH = 9. The supermicroporous structure of the material produced at 200 wt.% H₃PO₄ ratio was found to be appropriate for an efficient adsorption of this dye controlled by dispersive and electrostatic interactions depending on the amount of oxygen at the surface.     

Color lightness and highly organosoluble fluorinated polyamides, polyimides and poly(amide-imide)s based on noncoplanar 2,2′-dimethyl-4,4′-biphenylene units

A new diamine monomer containing noncoplanar methyl substitution, 2,2′-dimethyl-4,4′-bis(2-trifluoromethyl-4-aminophenoxy)biphenyl (DBTFAPB) was successfully synthesized and used in the preparation of a series of polyamides and polyimides by direct polycondensation with various aromatic dicarboxylic acids and tertacarboxylic dianhydrides. A new noncoplanar dicarboxylic acid monomer containing noncoplanar methyl substitution, 2,2′-dimethyl-4,4′-bis(2-trifluoromethyl-4-trimellitimidophenoxy)biphenyl (DBTFTPB) was also successfully synthesized by refluxing the diamine, DBTFAPB, with trimellitic anhydride in glacial acetic acid. A series of new poly(amide-imide)s were prepared directly from DBTFTPB with various diamines in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP). All the polymers exhibited excellent solubility in solvents, such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP), N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc), N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), pyridine, tetrahydrofuran (THF), cyclohexanone and γ-butyrolactone at room temperature or upon heating at 70 °C. Inherent viscosities of the polymers were found to range between 0.60 and 1.34 dL g⁻¹. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) of the polymers showed number-average and weight-average molecular weight up to 7.3×10⁴ and 17.9×10⁴, respectively. These polymers showed that the glass transition temperatures were between 230 and 265 °C, and the 10% mass loss temperatures were higher than 460 °C in nitrogen atmosphere. All the polymers could be cast into flexible and tough films from DMAc solutions. They had a tensile strength in the range of 82-124 MPa and a tensile modulus in the range of 1.9-2.9 GPa. These polymers exhibited low dielectric constants ranging from 2.87 to 4.03, low moisture absorption in the range of 0.29-3.20%, and high transparency with an ultraviolet-visible absorption cut-off wavelength in the 347-414 nm range.