Synthesis, Characterization and Some Optical Properties of Poly(hexa-2,4-diynylene-1,6-dioxy)dinaphthoates Containing Polar Azo Dye

In order to study the effect of main-chain conformation on the second-order non-linear optical properties, two novel isomeric polymers, consisting of hexa-2,4-diynylene-1,6-dioxydinaphthoates main-chains containing a polar azo dye, Disperse Red 19, were synthesized and characterized. The 1,2- and 3,2-polymers had a T g of 134 and 143°C, respectively. Their spin-coated films were exposed to corona poling, and the orientation behavior was studied. The order parameters of the two polymers were similar, around 0.2. The 3,2-polymer underwent cross-linking during poling. Neither polymer did cross-link when irradiated by UV light during poling, indicating that their chemical structures are not apt to cross-link.