Synthesis and characterization of metal-rich phosphonium polyelectrolytes and their use as precursors to nanomaterials.

Upon efficient quaternization and salt metathesis of stable triethyl ferrocene/ruthenocene phosphines, styrene-based phosphonium triflate monomers with four different stoichiometric ratios of Fe/Ru were synthesized. Free-radical polymerization of the monomers afforded four polyelectrolytes (M-n: 38 650-69 100 g mol(-1), D: 3.16-4.10) that retained many of the spectroscopic and electrochemical properties of the ferrocene/ ruthenocene units. TGA studies demonstrated the thermal stability (onset of decomposition: similar to 310 degrees C) and high char yields (33-54% at 1000 degrees C) of the polyelectrolytes. Pyrolysis in N-2/H-2 (95/5) (film thickness of similar to 6 mu m, 1000 degrees C, 3 h) yielded crystalline, mixed-phase nanomaterials containing iron, ruthenium, and phosphorus with compositions influenced by the structure of the parent polyelectrolytes.