Glass-Transition-, Melting-, and Decomposition Temperatures of Tailored Polyacrylates and Polymethacrylates: General Trends and Structure-Property Relationships

The glass-transition-, melting, and onset decomposition temperatures of a series of tailored polymethacrylates and polyacrylates are systematically investigated. Application fields of the investigated polymers include coatings, adhesives, textile, paper, cosmetics, electronics, lubricants, fuel additives, and oil-field or construction chemicals. The present study focuses on linear alkyl, branched alkyl, and amino, as well as ether polymethacrylates and polyacrylates. Novel polymers are introduced with branched C9, C13, C17, and C21 ester, Lupragen, or glycopyranoside ester groups. The thermal characteristics of the novel polymers are analyzed and placed into the context of the thermal data of known polymers fitting into the homologous series. General trends providing a comprehensive and concise overview of the determined thermal properties are derived. Structure-property relationships are established and a detailed physicochemical rationale is provided. The study may even allow for a rapid empirical estimation of thermal data of not yet assessed polymer systems.