Preparation of heat-resistant gradient-index polymer optical fiber rods based on poly(N-isopropylmaleimide-co-methyl methacrylate)

• Published in: Journal of applied polymer science Vol. 87; no. 2; pp. 280 - 283
• Main Authors: Wang, Dong-Jun, Gu, Chen-Bin, Chen, Peng-Lei, Liu, Shi-Xiong, Zhen, Zhen, Zhang, Jian-Cheng, Liu, Xin-Hou
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 10.01.2003; Wiley
• Subjects: Applied sciences; copolymerization; Exact sciences and technology; fibers; Fibers and threads; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; optics; Polymer industry, paints, wood; refractive index; Technology of polymers; thermoplastics; Heat resistance; copolymerization; fibers; Property composition relationship; Refraction index; Maleimide derivative copolymer; Experimental study; Methyl methacrylate copolymer; optics; Glass transition temperature; Thermal properties; Optical properties; Preparation; Interfacial polymerization; thermoplastics; refractive index; Radical copolymerization; Optical fiber
• ISSN: 0021-8995; 1097-4628
• DOI: 10.1002/app.11368

Using the interfacial gel polymerization method, a heat‐resistant gradient‐index polymer optical fiber (GI POF) was developed based on the copolymer of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and N‐isopropylmaleimide (IPMI) as the matrix material and bromobenzene (BB) as dopant. The gradient distribution of IPMI in the GI POF rod was determined by element analysis. IPMI had great advantage in improving glass transition temperature (Tg) and forming a gradient‐index profile. There was a significant enhancement in the heat‐resistant property in comparison with a conventional GI POF rod. The combination of high thermal stability and easy fabrication makes the novel BB–IPMI–MMA system very suitable for heat‐resistant GI POF. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 280–283, 2003