The synthesis and characterization of o-dianisidine derived crosslinked trimeric and tetrameric polyphosphazene microspheres

Abstract

Phosphazenes can react with compounds with various functional groups to form compounds with different properties, and polymers with various usage areas can be obtained under suitable conditions. A class of materials known for its versatility and sophisticated nature, crosslinked polyphosphazenes combine a phosphorus-nitrogen backbone with a variety of organic side groups to form a unique inorganic-organic hybrid structure. The crosslinking process, whether it be chemical, photochemical, or thermal, results in notable improvements in mechanical strength, chemical resistance, thermal stability, and biocompatibility. These properties make crosslinked polyphosphazenes highly suitable for a range of applications including biomedical devices, drug delivery systems, controlled drug release, enzyme activities, tissue engineering scaffolds, surgical materials, hydrophilic-hydrofobic materials, liquid crystals, sensors, thermal resistant materials, ion transfer membranes, catalysis support, dye adsorption for green chemistry environmental remediation technologies, and advanced coatings and adhesives. Their potential utility is further expanded by the capacity to modify the side groups and crosslinking density of these materials to tune their physical and chemical features. Crosslinked polyphosphazenes are being explored and optimized for synthesis and use in several sectors of research, thereby placing them as essential materials for future technological breakthroughs. In this study, cyclomatrix polyphosphazene microspheres were synthesized from the reactions of o-dianisidine (o- DNSD) as monomer and hexachlorocyclotriphosphazene (trimer, N3P3Cl6) /octachlorocyclotetraphosphazene (tetramer, N4P4Cl8), as crosslinking agents, according to the precipitation polymerization method. The characterization of the products were elucidated by SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy), FT-IR (Fourier- Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) and XRD (X-Ray Diffraction Spectroscopy) and TGA (Thermogravimetric Analysis) spectral techniques.