Synthesis and Characterization of Push-pull Polymers Containing Diphenylsiliane Moiety in the Main Chain

We have synthesized an azobenzene-containing polymer (PEA) and a stilbene-containing polymer (PAS) with second-order nonlinear properties. The second harmonic coefficient ($d_{33}$) of the poled polymer films was 84 and 36 pm/V for of PEA and PAS, respectively. The poled state of these polymers was stable at least up to 30 h at room temperature. $T_g$ of these polymers appeared in the range from 120 to $160^{\circ}C$ and onset of initial weight losses in the range from 260 to $270^{\circ}C$. Silicon moieties in the main chain enhanced the solubility of PEA and PAS in common organic solvents such as chloroform, N-methylpyrrolidinone (NMP), N, N-dimethylformamide (DMF), etc.