Glass transition temperature and thermal degradation of N-2-acryloyloxyethyl phthalimide copolymers

Summary

Copolymers of methyl methacrylate, MMA, with N-2-acryloyloxyethyl phthalimide, AEP, have been prepared by free radical polymerization. Glass transition temperatures, T_g; and thermal degradation of homo and copolymers have been determined by differential scanning calorimetry and by thermogravimetric analysis. Johnston's equation, which considers the influence of monomeric units' distribution on the copolymers glass transition temperature, has been used to explain the T_g behavior. The T_g12 has been calculated by the application of Johnston=s equation, given a value sensibly lower than the corresponding homopolymers T_g. The thermal stability of copolymers depends on the composition of the copolymer.