Abstract
Two novel polymers containing azo and ether groups were synthesized by oxidative polycondensation in an aqueous alkaline medium by NaOCI oxidants. The azo dye monomers that were polymerized were synthesized by diazotization of 2-amino-4-chlorophenyl phenyl ether and coupling reaction with 2,7-dihydroxynaphthalene and 1,3-benzenediol. Structures of the synthesized compounds were characterized by spectroscopic studies such as FT-IR, UV-vis, 1H-NMR. Gel permeation chromatography was used to evaluate the molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of the azo polymers. Furthermore, the surface morphology of the azo monomers and polymers were scrutinized by using scanning electron microscope. To investigate the effect of solvent on absorption, the electronic absorption spectra of the synthesized compounds were measured in six solvents with different polarity. The thermal behaviors of the monomers and polymers were identified by the TG, DTG and DTA techniques. In addition, the Coats-Redfern, Horowitz-Metzger and Broido methods for the determination of the kinetic parameters were used in the kinetic analysis of thermal decomposition of the compounds.