Inverse Vulcanization–Enabled Design of Highly Infrared-Transparent Polymeric Materials for Advanced Optical Applications
발표자
유남호 (한국과학기술연구원(KIST))
연구책임자
유남호 (한국과학기술연구원(KIST))
공동저자
유남호 (한국과학기술연구원(KIST))
초록
내용
Infrared (IR) transmissive polymers must balance high refractive index, IR transparency, and thermal stability, which is particularly challenging in the long-wave infrared (LWIR) region due to strong molecular absorption. To address this, a sulfur-based copolymer was developed using inverse vulcanization of 1,3,5-benzenetrithiol (BTT) and elemental sulfur. BTT was selected for its symmetric structure and relatively simple IR absorption, while sulfur is largely IR inactive. The resulting material formed ~1 mm thick optical windows exhibiting an ultrahigh refractive index (average n > 1.9) along with high mid-wave and LWIR transmission, without compromising thermal properties such as glass transition temperature. This sulfur copolymer demonstrates performance competitive with conventional inorganic and polymeric IR optical materials, extending the potential of organic materials for LWIR optical applications.