Synthesis and characterization of poly(1-adamantyl methacrylate): effects of the adamantyl group on radical polymerization kinetics and thermal properties of the polymer

Abstract

Radical polymerization of 1-adamantyl methacrylate (AdMA) and 3,5-dimethyl-1-adamantyl methacrylate (DMAdMA) in benzene was investigated kinetically. The introduction of the bulky adamantyl groups increased its polymerization rate and the molecular weight of the resulting polymer, compared with those for other alkyl methacrylates. It was ascribed to decrease in the termination rate, resulting in increase of the concentration of its propagating polymer radical at a stationary state. It was revealed that the polymers bearing adamantyl esters showed extremely high glass transition temperatures, and the effect of the tacticity was also investigated