Characterization of Polyphenylene Oxide Anodic Films

Gel permeation chromatography and infrared spectra have been used to characterize several poly(phenylene oxide) films formed by the anodic oxidation of aqueous phenol solutions. For the 2,6-dimethyl derivative, the molecular weight distribution extends to 10,000. Infrared spectra confirm a hesd-to-tail coupling structure. Results are also reported for films derived from 4-t-butylphenol and 2,4,6-trimethylphenol.