Journal of Polymer Science Part B: Polymer Physics, Vol.34, No.5, 845-851, 1996
Degradation of Poly(N-Vinylcarbazole) by Annealing Under Iodine Pressure
After room temperature doping of poly(N-vinylcarbazole) by iodine, the powders are annealed at different temperatures (370, 470, and 570 K) for 24 h under vacuum or under iodine pressure. The obtained powders were studied by infrared absorption, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, and nuclear magnetic resonance. Annealing of pure PVK powder increases the crystallization quality of the sample. Annealing with iodine induces progressive polymer degradation. At 570 K under iodine pressure the PVK is totally destroyed. The aromatic rings and the C-N bonds have disappeared. NH4I crystallites have formed, embeded in a degraded, cross-linked polymer matrix.