Multimonomer and cross-linked polymers formed by its copolymerization - Thermal studies

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TG) were used to examine the thermal behavior of the multimonomer poly[2-(10-undecenoyloxy)ethyl methacrylate] (PUDEM) within the temperature range from - 80 to 400degreesC. DSC measurements indicated that the polymer side chains were able to crystallize in paraffinic phase. PUDEM, added to methyl methacrylate (MM), can effectively copolymerize with essentially no homopolymer produced as shown by DSC (single T-g). The value of T-g depends on the PUDEM content, degree of cross-linking and the presence of free MM in the cross-linked product.