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Names | |
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Other names Poly(vinylcarbazole); Poly(N-vinylcarbazole); Poly(9-vinylcarbazole) | |
Identifiers | |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | |
Properties | |
(C14H11N)n | |
Melting point | > 320 °C [1] |
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). |
Polyvinylcarbazole (PVK) is a temperature-resistant [2] thermoplastic polymer produced by radical polymerization from the monomer N-vinylcarbazole. It is a photoconductive polymer and thus the basis for photorefractive polymers and organic light-emitting diodes. [3]
Polyvinylcarbazole was discovered by the chemists Walter Reppe (1892-1969), Ernst Keyssner and Eugen Dorrer and patented by I.G. Farben in the USA in 1937. [4] [1] PVK was the first polymer whose photoconductivity was known. Starting in the 1960s, further polymers of this kind were sought. [3]
Polyvinylcarbazole is obtained from N-vinylcarbazole by radical polymerization in various ways. It can be produced by suspension polymerization at 180 °C with sodium chloride and potassium chromate as catalyst. [2] Alternatively, AIBN can also be used as a radical starter or a Ziegler-Natta catalyst. [1]
PVK can be used at temperatures of up to 160 - 170 °C and is therefore a temperature-resistant thermoplastic. The electrical conductivity changes depending on the illumination. For this reason, PVK is classified as a semiconductor or photoconductor. The polymer is extremely brittle, but the brittleness can be reduced by copolymerization with a little isoprene. [5]
Polyvinylcarbazole is soluble in aromatic hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons and ketones. [1] It is resistant to acids, alkalis, polar solvents and aliphatic hydrocarbons. [2] The addition of PVK to other plastic masses increases their temperature resistance.
Due to its high price and special properties, the use of PVK is limited to special areas. [2] It is used in insulation technology, [2] electrophotography (e.g. in copiers and laser printers), [3] for the fabrication of polymer photonic crystals, [6] for organic light-emitting diodes and photovoltaic devices. [1] In addition, PVK is a well researched component in photorefractive polymers and therefore plays an important role in holography. Another application is the production of cooking-proof copolymers with styrene.