Polymers based on benzyl methacrylate: Synthesis via atom transfer radical polymerization, characterization, and thermal stabilities

Abstract

AbstractCopolymerization and homopolymerization of benzyl methacrylate (BMA) and ethyl methacrylate (EMA) by the atom transfer radical polymerization method (ATRP) were performed at 90 °C. ATRP of BMA was also carried out at 80, 100, and 110 °C. The number‐average molecular weight (Mn) and polydispersities decreased with temperature. When BMA units increased in the copolymer system, the Mn values and polydispersities decreased (1.63 < Mw/Mn < 1.13). The homopolymers and poly(BMA‐co‐EMA) were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), 1H and 13C NMR, and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) techniques. The compositions of the copolymers were calculated from 1H NMR spectra. For the atom transfer radical copolymerization system, their monomer reactivity ratios were obtained by using the Kelen–Tüdös equation, as r1 = 0.812, r2 = 1.162 (r1 is the monomer reactivity ratio of BMA). The initial decomposition temperatures of the resultant copolymers decrease with an increasing mol fraction of BMA, which indicates that the heat resistance of the copolymer has been improved by decreasing the BMA units. Blends of poly(BMA) and poly(EMA) obtained via the ATRP method have been prepared by casting films from a dichlorormethane solution. The blends have been characterized by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry. The measurements were comparable with those of copolymers synthesized. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 5964–5973, 2004