The present invention aims to provide a polymeric material having reduced coloration in the visible light region, a high refractive index, and low optical dispersion. The present invention relates to a polymeric material having a sulfoxide structure in a main chain.

The present invention relates to a poly(arylene sulfide) (PAS), comprising recurring units p, q and r according of formula (I) wherein n.sub.p, n.sub.q and n.sub.r are respectively the mole % of each recurring units p, q and r; recurring units p, q and r are arranged in blocks, in alternation or randomly; 2≤(n.sub.q+n.sub.r)/(n.sub.p+n.sub.q+n.sub.r)≤9; n.sub.q is ≥0% and n.sub.r is ≥0%; j is zero or an integer varying between 1 and 4; R.sup.1 is selected from the group consisting of halogen atoms, C.sub.1-C.sub.12 alkyl groups, C.sub.7-C.sub.24 alkylaryl groups, C.sub.7-C.sub.24 aralkyl groups, C.sub.6-C.sub.24 arylene groups, C.sub.1-C.sub.12 alkoxy groups, and C.sub.6-C.sub.18 aryloxy groups.

##STR00001##

Multicomponent copolymers including two or more types of repeat units is presented. In one example, the multicomponent copolymer includes at least one repeat unit AC having a structure (I), at least one repeat unit DC having a structure (II), and at least one repeat unit BC having a structure (III) or (V). The multicomponent copolymer may be cross-linked via a cross-linking agent. A polymer blend including the multicomponent copolymer or a cross-linked copolymer and a second polymer is also provided. The multicomponent copolymer may be a random or a block copolymer. The structural units of the multicomponent copolymers provide improved, tunable properties, such as improved biocompatibility and hydrophilicity, protein fouling, and mechanical properties, to the copolymers and/or the membranes fabricated from the copolymers.

Multicomponent copolymers including two or more types of repeat units is presented. In one example, the multicomponent copolymer includes at least one repeat unit AC having a structure (I), at least one repeat unit DC having a structure (II), and at least one repeat unit BC having a structure (III) or (V). The multicomponent copolymer may be cross-linked via a cross-linking agent. A polymer blend including the multicomponent copolymer or a cross-linked copolymer and a second polymer is also provided. The multicomponent copolymer may be a random or a block copolymer. The structural units of the multicomponent copolymers provide improved, tunable properties, such as improved biocompatibility and hydrophilicity, protein fouling, and mechanical properties, to the copolymers and/or the membranes fabricated from the copolymers.

To provide a continuous production apparatus and a continuous production method for an aromatic polymer which enable resource conservation, energy conservation, and equipment costs reduction. A continuous production method for an aromatic polymer having an ether bond or an imide bond, the method including: (a) supplying a polymerization solvent and a reaction raw material to a continuous production apparatus including a plurality of reaction vessels; (b) performing a polycondensation reaction in the polymerization solvent in at least one of the reaction vessels to form a reaction mixture; and (c) successively moving the reaction mixture to each of the reaction vessel, the steps (a), (b), and (c) being performed in parallel; wherein an ether bond or an imide bond is formed by the polycondensation reaction; respective gas phase parts of the plurality of reaction vessels communicate with one another; and a pressure of each of the gas phase parts is uniform.

Disclosed herein are bio-based polysulfones, and in particular, bisguaiacol-based PSfs synthesized from (i) at least one polymerizable lignin-based monomer having a structure corresponding to formula (I) wherein each R.sup.1 is independently either an H or a methyl group, wherein R.sup.2, R.sup.3, and R.sup.4 are each individually selected from an H or a methoxy group, and (ii) at least one polymerizable 4,4′-dihalophenyl sulfone as a comonomer. Also, disclosed herein are compositions comprising the bio-based polysulfones and a membrane comprising the composition

##STR00001##

Disclosed herein are bio-based polysulfones, and in particular, bisguaiacol-based PSfs synthesized from (i) at least one polymerizable lignin-based monomer having a structure corresponding to formula (I) wherein each R.sup.1 is independently either an H or a methyl group, wherein R.sup.2, R.sup.3, and R.sup.4 are each individually selected from an H or a methoxy group, and (ii) at least one polymerizable 4,4′-dihalophenyl sulfone as a comonomer. Also, disclosed herein are compositions comprising the bio-based polysulfones and a membrane comprising the composition

##STR00001##

Described herein are double-strand chain compositions suitable for use in the preparation of proton conductive membranes. The double-strand chains comprise a plurality of constitutional units joined to each other through two atoms on one side of the constitutional unit and two atoms on the other side of the constitutional unit. Constitutional units comprise a dibenzo-crown ether macrocycle fused with a bicyclic aliphatic linker. Polymers, membranes, and fuel cells comprising the double-strand chain are also described herein.

The present invention relates to a polymer of the aromatic polyether type, containing a biosourced furan diol, to a method for producing said polymer, and to the use of said polymer for producing membranes.

The present invention relates to a polymer of the aromatic polyether type, containing a biosourced furan diol, to a method for producing said polymer, and to the use of said polymer for producing membranes.