Synthesis and characterization of fluorinated poly(aryl ether ether ketone)s terminated with a phenylethynyl group

Crosslinkable fluorinated poly(aryl ether ether ketone)s (3F-PEEKn-PEP) bearing phenylethynyl moieties were synthesized via the polymerization of (3-trifluoromethyl) phenyl hydroquinone with an excess 4,4′-difluorobenzophenone, followed by the reaction of 4-phenylethynyl phenol. They could be processed during their precursor forms by solution casting method. The cured polymers showed higher glass transition temperatures, good chemical resistance, and high thermal stability after thermal treatment at 360 °C for 2 h. The cured films had no obvious absorptions at the wavelengths of 1.3 and 1.55 μm.