Mesoporous poly(phenylenevinylene) networks

A direct synthetic route to mesoporous poly(p-phenylenevinylene) (PPV) networks with high surface areas (≮750 m2/g) based on Gilch coupling polymer reactions was demonstrated. The UV spectrum shows a wide absorption maximum between 250 and 400 nm and fluorescence between 500 and 525 nm, similar to various PPVs. The pore size curve of PPV derived from the Barrett-Joyner-Halenda (BJH) method shows that the pores are mainly located in the mesoporous range (2.0-50.0 nm) and that the mesoporous distribution is centered around 5.6 nm. The condensation of benzene monomer do not result in an insoluble porous polymer and forms a soluble hyperbranched oligomer. The presence of a substantial number of tret-butyl ether end group in the PPV network is consistent with a nucleophilic substitution pathway which occurs in the solid precipitated network after the polymer is condensed.