Degradation of Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) Obtained by Radiation in Aqueous Solution

The degradation of poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate), PHEMA obtained by -radiation induced polymerization of HEMA in aqueous solution, was studied. The polymer was a gel type and insoluble in common organic solvents. The DSC thermogram of the polymer gave a Tg value at 88.2 degrees C and an endothermic peak showed further polymerization or crosslinking at 110-160 degrees C. The degradation observed in TGA was a depolymerization type. However, the FT-IR of TGA fragments showed no monomer, which was degraded further. The degradation of monomer was studied by the GC-MS method. Similar results were also observed.