Photostable nonlinear optical polycarbonates

Article abstract of DOI:10.1039/b810274k

Highly thermal and photostable nonlinear optical polymers were obtained by covalently incorporating the tricyanovinylidenediphenylaminobenzene (TCVDPA) chromophore to a polycarbonate backbone. NLO polycarbonates with different chromophore attachment modes and flexibilities were synthesized. In spite of the high loading levels (ranging from 33.1 to 39.8 wt%), the polymers exhibit T_gs as high as 215°C, representing a significant improvement of over 100°C of the material T_g compared with that of the guest-host system containing the same chromophore at similar high loadings. EO coefficients up to 33 pm V^-1 at 830 nm were achieved, and a good temporal stability of the dipole alignment at 50°C was observed. The Royal Society of Chemistry 2008.