Abstract:
A vinylidene cyanide copolymer obtained by copolymerizing vinyldene cyanide represented by formula (I) ##STR1## and a vinyl compound represented by formula (II) ##STR2## wherein Z represents a hydrogen atom or a saturated hydrocarbon group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; when Z is a hydrogen atom, R represents C n  H 2n+1  COO--, wherein n represents 0 or an integer of from 4 to 9; and when Z is a saturated hydrocarbon group, R represents CH 3  COO-- or a group having a benzene ring. The copolymer is excellent in transparency and provides an electret exhibiting excellent pyroelectricity or piezoelectricity upon polarization.

Description:
This application is continuation of application Ser. No. 07/105,289, filed on Oct. 7, 1987, now abandoned. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a copolymer comprising vinylidene cyanide and a vinyl compound, and more particularly to a copolymer comprising vinylidene cyanide and a vinyl compound which provides transparent molded articles having high dielectric constants. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many copolymers comprising vinylidene cyanide and various vinyl compounds are known as described, e.g., in H. Gilbert et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., Vol. 78, 1669 (1956), but there is no report of the particular copolymer according to the present invention. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention essentially provides a copolymer obtained by copolymerizing vinylidene cyanide represented by formula (I) ##STR3## and a vinyl compound represented by formula (II) ##STR4## wherein Z represents a hydrogen atom or a saturated hydrocarbon group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms; when Z is a hydrogen atom, R represents C n  H 2n+1  COO--, wherein n represents 0 or an integer of from 4 to 9; and when Z is a saturated hydrocarbon group, R represents CH 3  COO-- or a group having a benzene ring. 
     The copolymer according to the present invention is excellent in transparency and provides an electret exhibiting excellent piezoelectricity and pyroelectricity upon polarization. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIGS. 1 to 3 each shows an IR absorption spectrum of the copolymer obtained in Examples 1, 3, and 5, respectively. In these figures, ν co  =1740 cm -1  and ν CN  =2250 cm -1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The vinylidene cyanide copolymer of the present invention is a random copolymer or alternating copolymer obtained by copolymerizing a vinylidene cyanide monomer represented by formula (I) and a vinyl compound monomer represented by formula (II). 
     The random copolymer comprises a repeating unit (B) derived from the vinyl compound and a repeating unit (A) derived from vinylidene cyanide at a (B)/(A) molar ratio of from 0.8 to 20, and preferably from 0.9 to 15. 
     Both the random and alternating copolymers of the present invention are low crystalline resins having a glass transition point of from 100° to 250° C., and preferably from 140° to 200° C., and a molecular weight of from 200,000 to 1,500,000, and preferably from 500,000 to 1,000,000. 
     In formula (II), when Z is a hydrogen atom, R represents a carboxyl group having a hydrogen atom (n=0) or a straight or branched chain saturated hydrocarbon group having from 4 to 9 carbon atoms (n=4 to 9), i.e., a butyl group, a pentyl group, a hexyl group, a heptyl group, an octyl group or a nonyl group. Preferred examples of those having a branched hydrocarbon group are groups having a secondary hydrocarbon group or a tertiary hydrocarbon group, e.g., (CH 3 ) 3  CCOO-- and (C 2  H 5 ) 3  CCOO--. 
     When Z is a saturated hydrocarbon group having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, R represents CH 3  COO-- or a group having a benzene ring. Preferred examples of the group having a benzene ring include a phenyl group and a naphthyl group. The saturated hydrocarbon group as represented by Z may be either a straight chain group or a branched chain group having a secondary or tertiary carbon atom. Examples of the hydrocarbon groups are a methyl group and an ethyl group. 
     The copolymer according to the present invention can be prepared by, for example, polymerizing vinylidene cyanide and the vinyl compound of formula (II) in the presence of a radical initiator with or without a solvent. The copolymerization may also be carried out by slurry polymerization or in an ampule. 
     In the copolymerization, the vinyl compound is usually used in an amount of from 0.8 to 20 mols per mol of vinylidene cyanide, and preferably from 1 to 8 mols in case of obtaining an alternating copolymer and from 8 to 20 mols in case of obtaining a random copolymer. 
     The solvent, if used, includes an aprotic solvent, such as benzene, toluene, xylene, etc., an aliphatic hydrocarbon, such as pentane, hexane, heptane, etc., and mixtures thereof. 
     The polymerization temperature ranges from 0° to 150° C., and preferably from 50° to 80° C., in the case of slurry polymerization. The polymerization temperature when effected in an ampule is not particularly restricted and usually ranges from 0° to 100° C. 
     Any of known radical initiators can be used as a polymerization catalyst. Specific examples of useful radical initiators include oxygen; dialkyl peroxides or the derivatives thereof, e.g., di-t-butyl peroxide, t-butylcumyl peroxide, dicumyl peroxide, etc.; diacyl peroxides. e.g., diacetyl peroxide, dioctanoyl peroxide, etc.; peroxydicarbonates, e.g., diisopropyl peroxydicarbonate, di-2-ethylhexyl peroxydicarbonate, etc.; peroxy esters, e.g., t-butyl peroxyisobutyrate, t-butyl peroxypivalate, t-butyl peroxylaurate, etc.; ketone peroxides, e.g., methyl ethyl ketone peroxide, cyclohexanone peroxide, etc.; peroxy ketals, e.g., 2,2-bis-t-butyl peroxyoctane, 1,1-bis(t-butyl peroxy)cyclohexane, etc.; hydroperoxides, e.g., t-butyl hydroperoxide, cumene hydroperoxide, etc.; and azo compounds, e.g., 2,2&#39;-azobisisobutyronitrile. 
     After completion of polymerization, an aprotic solvent is poured into a reaction mixture, followed by filtration. The polymer thus collected is then washed and dried to obtain the desired product. 
     The copolymer according to the present invention contains a cyano group and an ester group having large polarity. It can be molded by commonly employed molding methods, such as a cast molding, press molding, and injection molding. The resulting molded articles have high dielectric constants and are useful as an insulating layer for condensers, electroluminescence elements, etc. Further, molded articles having been subjected to polarization are applicable as high performance materials, such as piezoelectric or pyroelectric materials. 
     Further, since the molded articles obtained from the copolymer of the present invention are excellent in transparency, they are also suitable for use as optical materials, such as optical fibers and lenses, as well as optical elements taking advantage of their high dielectric constant. 
     The present invention will now be illustrated in greater detail with reference to the following examples, but it should be understood the present invention is not deemed to be limited thereto. 
     EXAMPLE 1 
     In a 300 ml-volume four-necked flask equipped with a stirrer, a Dimroth condenser and a thermometer were charged 10 g (0.13 mol) of vinylidene cyanide synthesized in a usual manner, 45 g (0.63 mol) of vinyl formate (produced by K &amp; K), 25 ml of toluene, 25 ml of heptane, and several grains (several tens milligrams) of diisopropyl peroxydicarbonate, and the mixture was heated at 50° C. for 3 hours under stirring in an argon gas stream. The precipitated polymer was collected by filtration, washed successively with toluene and ethanol, and dried at 80° C. under reduced pressure overnight to obtain 10.1 g (53%) of a polymer product. 
     The resulting product was confirmed to be a 1:1 alternating copolymer by  1  H-NMR analysis,  13  C-NMR analysis, IR spectroscopic analysis, and elementary analysis. The IR spectrum is shown in FIG. 1. Main physical properties of the copolymer (powder) were as shown below. 
     Glass transition point (Tg): 152° C. 
     Intrinsic viscosity [η]: 0.5 
     Vinylidene cyanide (VDCN) content: 53 mol % (calculated from the elemental analysis results) 
     The powder was dissolved in dimethylacetamide (DMA), and the solution was cast to form a film. The dielectric constant of the resulting film was measured at room temperature (25° C.), and the results obtained are shown in Table 1 below. 
     
                       TABLE 1______________________________________Frequency(KHz)        Dielectric Constant______________________________________0.1          5.06 1           4.82100          4.32______________________________________ 
    
     EXAMPLE 2 
     In the same flask as used in Example 1 were charged 6 g (0.08 mol) of vinylidene cyanide synthesized in a usual manner, 50 g (0.4 mol) of vinyl pivalate (produced by Wako Pure Chemical Industries Ltd.), 12 ml of heptane, and 6 mg of lauroyl peroxide, and the mixture was heated at 70° C. for 4 hours under stirring in an argon gas stream. The precipitated polymer was collected by filtration, washed successively with toluene and ethanol, and dried at 80° C. under reduced pressure overnight to obtain 7.4 g (47%) of a polymer product, which was confirmed to be a 1:1 alternating copolymer by  1  H-NMR analysis,  13  C-NMR analysis, IR spectroscopic analysis, and elemental analysis. Main physical properties of the copolymer (powder) were as follows. 
     Tg: 171° C. 
     [η]: 2.2 
     VDCN Content: 55 mol % 
     The dielectric constant (25° C.) of a cast film prepared from the copolymer in the same manner as in Example 1 is shown in Table 2. 
     
                       TABLE 2______________________________________Frequency(KHz)        Dielectric Constant______________________________________0.1          3.84 1           3.74100          3.47______________________________________ 
    
     Further, the cast film was subjected to polarization and determined for piezoelectric constant (d 31 ). The results obtained are shown in Table 3 below. 
     
                       TABLE 3______________________________________Polarization      Field     PolarizationTemperature      Strength  Time        d.sub.31(°C.)      (KV/Cm)   (hr)        (C.G.S.e.s.u.)______________________________________160        450       2           10.2 × 10.sup.-8160        600       2           12.5 × 10.sup.-8160        750       2           14.8 × 10.sup.-8______________________________________ 
    
     EXAMPLE 3 
     In the same flask as used in Example 1 were charged 10 g (0.13 mol) of vinylidene cyanide synthesized in a usual manner, 68 g (0.64 mol) of isopropenyl acetate (produced by Wako Pure Chemical Industries Ltd.), 20 ml of toluene, and several grains (several tens milligrams) of diisopropyl peroxydicarbonate, and the mixture was heated at 70° C. for 1 hours while stirring in an argon gas stream. The resulting viscous reaction mixture was poured into toluene, and the precipitated polymer was collected by filtration, washed successively with toluene and ethanol, and dried at 80° C. under reduced pressure overnight to obtain 12 g (53%) of a polymer product. The product was confirmed to be a 1:1 alternating copolymer by  1  H-NMR analysis,  13  C-NMR analysis, IR spectroscopic analysis, and elemental analysis. The IR spectrum is shown in FIG. 2. The main physical properties of the copolymer (powder) were as follows. 
     Tg: 112° C. 
     [η]: 0.5 
     VDCN Content: 50 mol % 
     The dielectric constant (25° C.) of a cast film obtained from the copolymer in the same manner as in Example 1 is shown in Table 4. 
     
                       TABLE 4______________________________________Frequency(KHz)        Dielectric Constant______________________________________0.1          4.12 1           3.85100          3.45______________________________________ 
    
     EXAMPLE 4 
     In the same flask as used in Example 1 were charged 20 g (0.26 mol) of vinylidene cyanide synthesized in a usual manner, 30 g (0.26 mol) of α-methylstyrene (produced by Wako Pure Chemical Industries Ltd.), 50 ml of toluene, and 20 mg of lauroyl peroxide, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature in an argon gas stream. At the time when heat generation subsided, the mixture was heated at 70° C. for 1.5 hours with stirring. The precipitated polymer was collected by filtration, dissolved in acetone, and reprecipitated in toluene. The precipitate was washed with ethanol and dried at 80° C. under reduced pressure overnight to obtain 7.1 g (14%) of a polymer product. The product was confirmed to be a 1:1 alternating copolymer from the results of  1  H-NMR analysis,  13  C-NMR analysis, IR spectroscopic analysis, and elemental analysis. The main physical properties of the product (powder) were as follows. 
     Tg: 151° C. 
     [η]: 0.4 
     VDCN Content: 52.6 mol % 
     The dielectric constant (25° C.) of a cast film obtained from the copolymer in the same manner as in Example 1 is shown in Table 5 below. 
     
                       TABLE 5______________________________________Frequency(KHz)        Dielectric Constant______________________________________0.1          3.96 1           3.84100          3.55______________________________________ 
    
     EXAMPLE 5 
     In the same flask as used in Example 1 were charged 5 g (0.06 mol) of vinylidene cyanide synthesized in a usual manner, 40 g (0.35 mol) of vinyl butyrate (produced by Tokyo Kasei K.K.), and 5 mg of lauroyl peroxide, and the mixture was heated at 70° C. for 2 hours while stirring in an argon gas stream. The precipitated polymer was collected by filtration, washed successively with toluene and ethanol, and dried at 80° C. under reduced pressure overnight to obtain 10.5 g (85%) of a polymer product. The product was confirmed to be a 1:1 alternating copolymer by  1  H-NMR analysis,  13  C-NMR analysis, IR spectroscopic analysis, and elemental analysis. The IR spectrum is shown in FIG. 3. The main physical properties of the copolymer (powder) were as follows. 
     Tg: 192° C. 
     [η]: 6.3 
     VDCN Content: 50 mol % 
     The dielectric constant (25° ) of a cast film obtained from the copolymer in the same manner as in Example 1 was as shown in Table 6 below. 
     
                       TABLE 6______________________________________Frequency(KHz)        Dielectric Constant______________________________________0.1          3.95 1           3.83100          3.62______________________________________ 
    
     Further, the dielectric constant of the cast film was measured at frequency fixed to 100 Hz at various temperatures. The results obtained are shown in Table 7. 
     
                       TABLE 7______________________________________MeasurementTemperature(°C.)  Dielectric Constant______________________________________160           7.86172           14.77176           32.27180           99.71184           82.11______________________________________ 
    
     The cast film was uniaxially stretched about 3 times in a silicone oil bath maintained at 190° C. and then subjected to polarization. The resulting stretched film was determined for piezoelectric constants d 31  and K t . The results obtained are shown in Table 8. 
     
                       TABLE 8______________________________________Polarization     Field    PolarizationTemperature     Strength Time       d.sub.31  K.sub.t(°C.)     (KV/Cm)  (hr)       (C.G.S.e.s.u.)                                   (%)______________________________________180       450      1          11.2 × 10.sup.-8                                   8.6180       600      1          13.4 × 10.sup.-8                                   10.9180       750      1          16.9 × 10.sup.-8                                   12.4______________________________________ 
    
     EXAMPLE 6 
     In the same flask as used in Example 1 were charged 5 g (0.06 mol) of vinylidene cyanide synthesized in a usual manner, 50 g (0.35 mol) of vinyl hexanoate (produced by Tokyo Kasei K.K.), and 5 mg of lauroyl peroxide, and the mixture was heated at 70° C. for 3 hours with stirring in an argon gas stream. The precipitated polymer was collected by filtration, washed successively with toluene and ethanol, and dried at 80° C. under reduced pressure overnight to obtain 9.6 g (68%) of a polymer product. The product was confirmed to be a 1:1 alternating copolymer by  1  H-NMR analysis,  13  C-NMR analysis, IR spectroscopic analysis, and elemental analysis. The main physical properties of the copolymer (powder) were as follows. 
     Tg: 214° C. 
     [η]: 2.5 
     VDCN Content: 51 mol % 
     The dielectric constant (25° C.) of a cast film obtained from the copolymer in the same manner as in Example 1 was as shown in Table 9 below. 
     
                       TABLE 9______________________________________Frequency(KHz)        Dielectric Constant______________________________________0.1          3.85 1           3.73100          3.66______________________________________ 
    
     Further, the dielectric constant of the cast film was measured at a frequency fixed to 100 Hz at various temperatures. The results obtained are shown in Table 10. 
     
                       TABLE 10______________________________________MeasurementTemperature(°C.)  Dielectric Constant______________________________________188           5.63192           12.51196           28.65200           95.38204           78.25______________________________________ 
    
     Furthermore, the piezoelectric constants d 31  and K t  were measured in the same manner as in Example 5. The results obtained are shown in Table 11. 
     
                       TABLE 11______________________________________Polarization     Field    PolarizationTemperature     Strength Time       d.sub.31  K.sub.t(°C.)     (KV/cm)  (hr)       (C.G.S.e.s.u.)                                   (%)______________________________________200       450      1          10.9 × 10.sup.-8                                   8.1200       600      1          13.5 × 10.sup.-8                                   9.9200       750      1          16.5 × 10.sup.-8                                   11.8______________________________________ 
    
     While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.