The thermo-oxidative degradation of a polymeric optical cable is investigated by chemiluminescence, The results are reliable and reproducible. Two distinct processes are reported marked by a peak and a plateau behavior versus the time, respectively. Both processes are ruled by thermally activated processes. Beside the dependencies of temperature and time, the influence of absorbed water is discussed. Chemiluminescence is proposed as a promising candidate for a suitable testing method assessing the thermo-oxidative stability of plastic optical fibers and cables. it requires not more than a simple one-day testing procedure and has the advantage that it can be carried out even within the lo cv temperature ranges of the cables' intended use.
Conjugated polymers based on 1,4-phenylenevinylene units are very promising materials for applications as light-emitting diodes. A major requirement is their stability at elevated temperatures of operation. The thermo-oxidative behaviour of a soluble poly(1,4-phenylenevinylene) derivative, poly[2,5-bis(2-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylene vinylene], was investigated by using chemiluminescence and UVVis absorption spectroscopy. Extremely sensitive chemiluminescence is successfully applied since even minor chemical changes could lead to a considerable loss of photo- and electro-optical properties. Various degradation processes are described as a function of time and temperature and their influences on functional properties are discussed. The investigated material does not show sufficient thermo-oxidative stability within the temperature range of intended use in contact with air. For industrial application, direct contact with oxygen during processing and operation has to be avoided.
On the basis of Wittig-Horner reactions and protection group techniques compound 7 for the core and the components 9a-c and 11a-c for the dendrons were prepared and linked in the final step. The convergent synthesis yielded constitutionally and configurationally pure dendrimers (2a-c, 2a'-c') which consist of distyrylbenzene units. Their thermo-oxidative stability in the presence of air was studied by chemiluminescence and compared to the dendrimers 1 consisting of stilbene units.