| The work presented in this thesis covers the synthesis and characterization of optically interesting polyphosphazenes and polyphosphazene-hybrid systems. A series of polyphosphazenes bearing conjugated, organic side-groups were synthesized and their physical and optical properties were measured. Both the optical absorption and the refractive indices were examined in these polymers. Polymers were obtained with no or limited absorption between 350-800 nm, and refractive index values ranging from 1.60-1.75. The wavelength dependent change in refractive index, or optical dispersion associated with 2 selected polymers was examined using variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry. These systems have Abbe' numbers of {dollar}nusb{lcub}rm D{rcub}{dollar} = 20-25. Calculation of the molar refractivity (R{dollar}sb{lcub}rm m{rcub}{dollar}) associated with the (N=P) repeat unit structure yielded a value of R{dollar}sb{lcub}rm m{rcub}{dollar}(N=P) = 14.36 cm{dollar}sp3{dollar}/mol.; Polyphosphazenes, with a potential use in electro-optical applications are reported. Several multisubstituent polyphosphazenes were synthesized which incorporated the nonlinear optical chromophore disperse red 1 (DR-1) into the backbone structure. These systems are amorphous, have a high loading of DR-1 (one per repeat unit), have high glass transition temperatures (around or above 100{dollar}spcirc{dollar}C) and are potentially high refractive index materials.; The synthesis and characterization of an inorganic-polymer composite system containing quantum confined II-VI semiconductor particles entrapped in a polyphosphazene network is discussed. A polymer material, (NP(OCH{dollar}rmsb2CHsb2OCHsb2CHsb2OCHsb3)sb2rbracksb{lcub}n{rcub}{dollar} (MEEP) was used in the formation of matrix encapsulated nanometer-sized CdS particles. As a first step, (Cd{dollar}rmsb{lcub}10{rcub}(SCHsb2CHsb2OH)sb{lcub}16{rcub}rbrack (NOsb3)sb4{dollar} was found to react in solution to generate stable, soluble, CdS particles. These particles were characterized and found to be 25A in diameter. Secondly, a method was developed which allowed the incorporation of these particles inside a crosslinked polyphosphazene-based polymer network, and CdS particles were successfully grown within polymer films. The polymer encapsulated particles had an average size of 70A diameter. |
