Configurational Properties of a Stiff-Chain Diaryl Substituted Polysilane in Dilute Solution

Abstract : Dilute solution properties of a diaryl substituted polysilane indicate that the chain exhibits stiffness in solution, with a persistence length on the order of 100A. Measurements of the mean square radius of gyration, intrinsic viscosity and hydrodynamic radius at infinite dilution for a series of molecular weights were fit to theoretical expressions for the wormlike chain to estimate the persistence length. This large persistence length is consistent with the long wavelengths (395 + or - nm) electronic absorption maximum observed for the diaryl substituted silanes. Results are compared with those reported previously for diaryl substituted polysilanes. Keywords: Light scattering.