Poly(ether ketone ketone) polymers, corresponding synthesis methods and polymer compositions and articles made therefrom

Abstract

Described herein are PEKK polymers having improved processability and improved crystallinity. It was surprisingly found that PEKK polymers formed using a specifically adapted nucleophilic synthesis route, in which different monomers are added in to the polymerization reaction at different points during the synthesis, had lower glass transition temperatures ('Tg') and increased crystallinities, relative to PEKK polymers formed using traditional nucleophilic synthesis routes ('traditional PEKK polymers'). Furthermore, compared with PEKK polymers synthesized using an electrophilic synthesis routes, the PEKK polymers described herein and significantly lower halogen content. The synthesis routes includes a first heating of a first monomer blend in a reaction mixture, a subsequent first addition of a second monomer blend to the reaction mixture, and a second heating of the reaction mixture subsequent to the first addition.