Synthesis and characterization of new cardo poly(bisbenzothiazole-urea)s containing bulky pendant groups

A series of novel rigid poly(bisbenzothiazole-urea)s (PBTUs III) containing bulky pendant groups were synthesized from 2,2-diaminodibenzothiazoles and aromatic diisocyanates conveniently in the mild condition. The inherent viscosity, solubility, thermal stability, morphology, mechanical and photophysical properties of them were investigated and compared in detail. The inherent viscosities were in the range of 0.58–0.73 dL/g. All of the polymers exhibited excellent solubility in various polar organic solvents. They also showed good thermal stability and mechanical properties. The decomposition temperatures at 10% weight loss were in the range of 368–431 °C in nitrogen. All the PBTUs III were amorphous. Tensile strength of PBTUs III showed the range from 85 to 98 MPa. Compared with poly(benzothiazole)s, all the PBTUs III had the larger optical bandgap and lower photoluminescence quantum yields.