| Abstract: | Poly[1-(trimethylsilyl)propyne] (PTMSP) is an unusual polyyne material which is optically clear, exhibits high solubility in nonpolar organic solvents, and good oxygen compatibility. By contrast, polyacetylene is black, insoluble, and is unstable in oxygen. The long term stability of PTMSP has been determined by a combination of thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and permeability test procedures under a number of different isothermal aging conditions. The use of commercial antioxidants at up to 2 weight percent improves the long term stability of PTMSP. The presence of the antioxidant has no effect on the surface fluorination of PTMSP. Testing of PTMSP films for over eight months shows no change in either permeability or selectivity in contrast to previously reported data. |
