Synthesis and thermal properties of fullerene-containing polymethacrylates

Summary

Three poly(methyl methacrylate-co-2-bromoethyl methacrylate) samples were prepared. The bromine groups in the copolymers were converted to azide groups followed by reaction with fullerene (C₆₀) to afford fullerene-containing polymethacrylates. The glass transition temperatures (T_gs) and heat capacity changes (ΔC_p) at T_g of these polymers were measured by differential scanning calorimetry. With increasing fullerene content in the polymethacrylate, the T_g value increases while the ΔC_p value decreases. The incorporation of fullerene improves the thermal stability of the polymethacrylate as shown by thermogravimetric analysis.