Thermal stability of ring-substituted polystyrenes

Abstract

The thermal stabilities of ring-substituted polystyrenes, containing OMe, Me, Br and Cl para substituents, were investigated using thermogravimetry, gel permeation chromatography and gc/mass spectrometry. Thermal stability of the polymers containing electron repelling groups (OMe. Me) was greater than that of the polymers containing electron withdrawing groups (Br, Cl). These polymers were predominantly depolymerized together with small amount of dimers. The reactivity of depolymerizing radicals was affected by the nature of para substituents. The differing reactivity in addition to weak links, influenced thermal stability.