Abstract: Disclosed are an oligomer and a phthalonitrile monomer having the formulas: M is a metal or H. The value n is an integer greater than or equal to 1 for the oligomer and greater than or equal to 0 for the phthalonitrile monomer. Ar1 and Ar2 are independently selected aromatic- or heterocyclic-containing groups. Ar1, Ar2, or both are heteroaromatic or heterocyclic groups containing a nitrogen, sulfur, or oxygen heteroatom. Also disclosed are thermosets and pyrolyzed materials made from the phthalonitrile monomer.

Abstract: Compounds having the formulas below. R is an aromatic-containing group. Each M is an alkali metal. Each m is a positive integer. The value of n is a positive integer. The value p is 0 or 1. If p is 0 then n is 1. A thermoset made by curing a composition containing the below phthalonitrile monomers. A method of reacting a diphenyl acetylene compound with an excess of an aromatic diol in the presence of an alkali metal carbonate to form the above oligomer. A method of reacting a phenoxyphthalonitrile with an acetylene compound to form the phthalonitrile monomer below.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of: providing a mixture of a polymer or a resin and a transition metal compound, producing a fiber from the mixture, and heating the fiber under conditions effective to form a carbon nanotube-containing carbonaceous fiber. The polymer or resin is an aromatic polymer or a precursor thereof and the mixture is a neat mixture or is combined with a solvent. Also disclosed are a carbonaceous fiber or carbonaceous nanofiber sheet having at least 15 wt. % carbon nanotubes, a fiber or nanofiber sheet having the a polymer or a resin and the transition metal compound, and a fiber or nanofiber sheet having an aromatic polymer and metal nanoparticles.

Abstract: Compounds having the formulas below. R is an aromatic-containing group. Each M is an alkali metal. Each m is a positive integer. The value of n is a positive integer. The value p is 0 or 1. If p is 0 then n is 1. A thermoset made by curing a composition containing the below phthalonitrile monomers. A method of reacting a diphenyl acetylene compound with an excess of an aromatic diol in the presence of an alkali metal carbonate to form the above oligomer. A method of reacting a phenoxyphthalonitrile with an acetylene compound to form the phthalonitrile monomer below.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of: providing a mixture of a polymer or a resin and a transition metal compound, producing a fiber from the mixture, and heating the fiber under conditions effective to form a carbon nanotube-containing carbonaceous fiber. The polymer or resin is an aromatic polymer or a precursor thereof and the mixture is a neat mixture or is combined with a solvent. Also disclosed are a carbonaceous fiber or carbonaceous nanofiber sheet having at least 15 wt. % carbon nanotubes, a fiber or nanofiber sheet having the a polymer or a resin and the transition metal compound, and a fiber or nanofiber sheet having an aromatic polymer and metal nanoparticles.

Abstract: Disclosed are an oligomer and a phthalonitrile monomer having the formulas: M is a metal or H. The value n is an integer greater than or equal to 1 for the oligomer and greater than or equal to 0 for the phthalonitrile monomer. Ar1 and Ar2 are independently selected aromatic- or heterocyclic-containing groups. Ar1, Ar2, or both are heteroaromatic or heterocyclic groups containing a nitrogen, sulfur, or oxygen heteroatom. Also disclosed are thermosets and pyrolyzed materials made from the phthalonitrile monomer.

Abstract: A method and product thereof made by: reacting a carborane-containing compound and an aromatic compound (below) with a crosslinker having at least two silyl hydrogen atoms. R is alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl, haloalkyl, or haloaryl group. Cb is a divalent carboranyl group. U is an unsaturated hydrocarbon group. Ar1 and Ar2 are each a first aromatic group or a bisphenol residue, where at least one of Ar1 and Ar2 is the first aromatic group. Each Ar is a second aromatic group. Each n is a nonnegative integer. The values n? and n? are positive integers and m, w, x, y, and z are 0 or 1. If y is 0 than x and z are 0 and w is 1, and if y is 1 than x and z have different values and w equals z.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a composition having a thermoset polymer and a plurality of hollow microsphere homogenously dispersed in the composition. The polymer is a cyanate ester thermoset, a phthalonitrile thermoset, a crosslinked acetylene thermoset, or a hydrosilation thermoset. Also disclosed herein is a method of: providing a thermosetting compound; adding microspheres to the thermosetting compound; and mixing the thermosetting compound while initiating crosslinking of the thermosetting compound.

Abstract: A method of making metal nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes is disclosed. A mixture of a transition metal compound and an aromatic polymer, a precursor of an aromatic polymer, or an aromatic monomer is heated to form a metal nanoparticle composition, optionally containing carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: A compound having the formula: Each Ar is an aromatic group. Each R is an alkyl group. The value n is a positive integer. The values of w, x, y, and z are 0 or 1. If y is 0 than x and z are 0 and w is 1, and if y is 1 than x and z have different values and w equals z. A thermoset made by crosslinking a silane-containing compound with the above compound. A method of making the above compound when y is 1 by: reacting 4,4?-difluorobenzophenone with an aromatic diol to form an oligomer; and reacting the oligomer with a vinyl dialkylsilane. A method of making the below compound by: reacting 4,4?-difluorobenzophenone with a vinyl dialkylsilane. Each R is an independently selected alkyl group.

Abstract: A compound having the formula: Each Ar is an aromatic group. Each R is an alkyl group. The value n is a positive integer. The values of w, x, y, and z are 0 or 1. If y is 0 than x and z are 0 and w is 1, and if y is 1 than x and z have different values and w equals z. A thermoset made by crosslinking a silane-containing compound with the above compound. A method of making the above compound when y is 1 by: reacting 4,4?-difluorobenzophenone with an aromatic diol to form an oligomer; and reacting the oligomer with a vinyl dialkylsilane. A method of making the below compound by: reacting 4,4?-difluorobenzophenone with a vinyl dialkylsilane. Each R is an independently selected alkyl group.

Abstract: A method of making metal nanoparticles and carbon nanotubes is disclosed. A mixture of a transition metal compound and an aromatic polymer, a precursor of an aromatic polymer, or an aromatic monomer is heated to form a metal nanoparticle composition, optionally containing carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: A compound having the formula: Each Ar is an aromatic group. Each R is an alkyl group. The value n is a positive integer. The values of w, x, y, and z are 0 or 1. If y is 0 than x and z are 0 and w is 1, and if y is 1 than x and z have different values and w equals z. A thermoset made by crosslinking a silane-containing compound with the above compound. A method of making the above compound when y is 1 by: reacting 4,4?-difluorobenzophenone with an aromatic diol to form an oligomer; and reacting the oligomer with a vinyl dialkylsilane. A method of making the below compound by: reacting 4,4?-difluorobenzophenone with a vinyl dialkylsilane. Each R is an independently selected alkyl group.

Abstract: An oligomer having the formula: Ar1 and Ar2 are each an aromatic group or a bisphenol residue. At least one of Ar1 and Ar2 is the aromatic group. The value of m is zero or one, and n is a positive integer. A polymer made by reacting the above oligomer with a crosslinker having at least two silyl hydrogen atoms. A method of: reacting a compound having the formula: with vinyl(dimethylchloro)silane to form the above oligomer. T is —OH, —Br, or —I.

Abstract: An oligomer having the formula: Ar1 and Ar2 are each an aromatic group or a bisphenol residue. At least one of Ar1 and Ar2 is the aromatic group. The value of m is zero or one, and n is a positive integer. A polymer made by reacting the above oligomer with a crosslinker having at least two silyl hydrogen atoms. A method of: reacting a compound having the formula: with vinyl(dimethylchloro)silane to form the above oligomer. T is —OH, —Br, or —I.

Abstract: A compound having the formula: Each Ar is an aromatic group. Each R is an alkyl group. The value n is a positive integer. The values of w, x, y, and z are 0 or 1. If y is 0 than x and z are 0 and w is 1, and if y is 1 than x and z have different values and w equals z. A thermoset made by crosslinking a silane-containing compound with the above compound. A method of making the above compound when y is 1 by: reacting 4,4?-difluorobenzophenone with an aromatic diol to form an oligomer; and reacting the oligomer with a vinyl dialkylsilane. A method of making the below compound by: reacting 4,4?-difluorobenzophenone with a vinyl dialkylsilane. Each R is an independently selected alkyl group.

Abstract: Compounds having the formulas below. R is an aromatic-containing group. Each M is an alkali metal. Each m is a positive integer. The value of n is a positive integer. The value p is 0 or 1. If p is 0 then n is 1. A thermoset made by curing a composition containing the below phthalonitrile monomers. A method of reacting a diphenyl acetylene compound with an excess of an aromatic diol in the presence of an alkali metal carbonate to form the above oligomer. A method of reacting a phenoxyphthalonitrile with an acetylene compound to form the phthalonitrile monomer below.

Abstract: A carbon nanotube composition and method of making the same. The composition is made by: heating a precursor composition under a non-oxidizing or reducing atmosphere to form a carbon composition of carbon nanotubes and amorphous carbon; and calcining the carbon composition in the presence of oxygen to oxidize and vaporize the amorphous carbon without oxidizing the carbon nanotubes. The precursor composition includes a mixture or complex of a transition metal compound and an organic compound that chars at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: Compounds having the formulas below. Each R1 is an aromatic-containing group. Each R2 is methyl, phenyl, alkyl, perfluoroalkyl, and trifluoromethyl. M is an alkali metal, and n is a positive integer. A thermoset made by curing a mixture comprising a curing agent and the below phthalonitrile monomer. A method of: reacting a bis(fluorophenyl)phenylphosphine oxide with an excess of an aromatic diol in the presence of an alkali metal carbonate to form the oligomer below.

Abstract: A cyanate ester system is disclosed. An aryl ether oligomer may be made from a dihydroxyaromatic compound and a dihaloaromatic compound in the presence of a base. The oligomer is then reacted with a cyanide compound in the presence of a base to form the cyanate ester shown below. The cyanate ester may then be cross-linked to a thermoset having triazine ring cross-links.