Low-temperature, free-radical post-polymerization of difunctional methacrylate monomers

Abstract

The low-temperature post-polymerization of the difunctional monomers allyl methacrylate and diethylene glycol dimethacrylate, on heating up in the glassy state after γ-irradiation at —196°C, has been investigated. The electron paramagnetic resonance, low-temperature calorimetry and nuclear magnetic resonance methods were used. In polymerization of allyl methacrylate without additives, poly(ally methacrylate) in which all the allyl double bonds are preserved, was obtained up to a conversion of 20%. It was found that in low-temperature post-polymerization of allyl methacrylate, allyl methacrylate with ZnCl 2, and diethylene glycol dimethacrylate with butyl methacrylate, gelation begins at higher conversions than in polymerization of such systems under ordinary conditions.