Synthesis and characterization of a novel norbornene based copolymer

Ring opening metathesis polymerization(ROMP) of norbornene derivatives have many advantages, including mild reaction conditions, high reaction rate and controllable size. Besides, polymer chains have good thermal stability and resistance to acid and alkali resistance because of its unique structure. Here we prepared a novel random copolymer with 4-(bicycle[2.2.1]hept-5-en-2-yl) benzene-1-sulfonylchloride(NBSC) and dimethyl 8, 9, 10-rinorborn-5-ene-2, 3-dicarboxylate(DCNM). And the structure of monomer and polymer were confirmed by NMR and FT-IR. Moreover, we studied the best reaction conditions via contrast experiments. GPC showed the best reaction conditions were the monomers ratio was 1:1, the catalyst was 1/450 of monomers' molar mass, the reaction time was 30 min and the temperature was 40℃, under which the relative molecular mass was the largest, the relative molecular mass distribution was narrow and the yield was the highest. DSC showed that the glass transition temperature of DCNM was 60℃, while that of polymer increased to 80℃. TGA showed that the temperature of 5% mass lost was 145℃ and the temperature of the fastest loss of mass was 245℃, which implied the polymer had good thermal stability. From the point of comprehensive performance, the polymer were supposed to have the potential use in the field of proton exchange membrane for fuel cells.