Synthesis of Polyacrylate-Based Chalcone Containing Different Donor Moieties and Studies on their Optical, Electrochemical, and Thermal Properties

Four novel metal-free acrylate polymers were synthesized via free radical polymerization using AIBN, in which a phenyl-chalcone-phenyl unit was connected with donor moieties such as fluorene, indole, anthracene, and benzophenone along with an acrylic acid group. The molecular weights of the polymers (P1-P4) were determined by gel permeation chromatography and their molecular structures were confirmed by FT-IR, H-1-NMR and C-13-NMR spectroscopy. The polymers were studied for their thermal properties by using DSC and thermo gravimetric analysis, which showed glass transition temperature (T-g,degrees C) in the range of 140-165 degrees C. The relationship between molecular structure and optoelectronic properties of the synthesized polymers were investigated by UV-Visible, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.