First Principles Calculation for the Polyacrylonitrile Chain

The equilibrium geometries of the polyacrylonitrile (PAN) chain was theoretically studied using the Hartree-Fock method at the STO-3G levels. As for the optimized structures, the average distance of the C atom couple in the main chain is 155.6 pm; the average distance of the C atom couple in the branch chain is 149.7 pm; the average distance between a C atom bonding with N atom is 115.5 pm. For the charge distribution, because of the influence of a N atom with its comparatively larger negative charge, the C atoms in the main chain are different in their charge distribution. Finally, the vibration models of the chain have been analyzed to clarify the reaction sequence of dehydrogenation and cyclization during preoxidation and carbonization of the polyacrylonitrile.