Preparation of single-chain methyl methacrylate copolymers via intramolecular metallophthalocyanine formation and characterization of their nanographene-based composites

The single-chain polymer molecule through the intramolecular formation of metal (zinc and cobalt) phthalocyanine (SCP-MPc) from poly[methyl methacrylate-co-4-(4-vinylbenzyl)oxy)phthalonitrile] [VBOPN] as a precursor copolymer under diluted conditions of cyclohexanol at 140-150 oC. Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and intramolecular macrocyclization reactions were used to make metal phthalocyanines from a precursor copolymer with phthalonitrile pendant groups. The structure of zinc and cobalt phthalocyanines within a single chain molecule was confirmed using FT-IR and UV/Vis spectroscopy techniques. Nanographene-based SCP-MPc nanocomposites were prepared and were explored for their thermal, electrical, dielectric, and optical properties. The electrical and dielectric properties such as dielectric constant, dielectric loss, and alternating (ac) and direct current (dc) conductivity of SCP-MPc/NG 6 wt % nanocomposite increased with temperature. The dc conductivity studies were temperature-dependent and obey Arrhenius's relation with the activation energy of dc conduction, Ea values for I. and II. regions were 0.345 eV and 0.275 e.V, respectively. The optical band gap and optical constants (refractive index, real of the dielectric constant) of the SCP-MPc/NG 6 w% were measured. Reflectance spectra were studied at the range of UV-vis-NIR in wavelength range of 400-900 nm. The direct band gap and refractive index of the composites were determined using these spectra. The direct band gap SCP-ZnPc and SCP-CoPc was found to be 2.7 eV. and 2.89, respectively