Copolymerization of Bis(4-methacryloymethylphenyl) sulphone with styrene

Abstract

Bis(4-methacrloylmethylphenyl) sulphone (BMMPhSu) was prepared by the reaction of bis(4-chloromethylphenyl)sulphone with potassium salt of methacrylic acid. The structure of this new compund was determined by element analysis, IR, 1 H-NMR and 13 C-NMR analyses. Besides, the fundamental physical properties of bis(4-methacryloylmethylphenyl)sulphone such as the melting point and solubility in common as well as vinyl solvents: styrene, methyl methacrylate, butyl acrylate, acrylonitrile, and divinylbenzene were determined. Using 8 different hardening systems (polymerization initiators) copolymerization of this compound with styrene was carried out. Combinations of the following compounds: benzoyl peroxide, methyl ethyl ketone hydroxyperoxide, N,N-dimethylaniline, cobalt naphthenate, and aromatic amine adduct were used for hardening (polymerization initiation). An infludence of BMMPhSu concentration on gelation times with the use of three hardening systems was studied. Finally two hardening systems were chosen and using them copolymerizations of 20 and 25% of BMMPhSu with styrene were carried out. The obtained copolymers were tested for mechanical properties: tensile strength, Young's modulus, elongation at break hardness by Shore's and Brinnell's methods. Their thermal properties were also determined.