Free Radical Copolymerization of Methyl Methacrylate and Styrene with N-(4-Carboxyphenyl)maleimide

Abstract

The free radical copolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) or styrene (St) with N-(4-carboxyphenyl)maleimide (CPMI) was carried with AIBN as an initiator in THF solvent at 80°C. A series of copolymers of MMA and St with CPMI were prepared using different feed ratios of comonomers. The values of monomer reactivity ratios (r₁, r₂) determined by Fineman-Ross and Kelen-Tudos methods are 0.26 and 2.51 in the CPMI/MMA system and 0.08 and 0.22 in the CPMI/St system. Alfrey–Price Q-e values for CPMI were calculated as Q = 1.05 and e = 0.41 in the CPMI/MMA system and Q = 1.21 and e = 0.91 in the CPMI/St system. The polymer samples have been characterized by solubility tests, intrinsic viscosity measurements, FT-IR and ¹H-NMR spectral analysis, and thermo-gravimetric analysis. It was found that the initial and final decomposition temperatures increased with increasing the amount of CPMI in the copolymer. The integral procedural decomposition temperature and energy of activation of thermal degradation have also been reported.

Keywords:

• maleimide copolymers
• N-(4-carboxyphenyl)maleimide
• reactivity ratios
• thermogravimetric analysis

The authors acknowledge the assistance of the Head RSIC, CDRI Lucknow, Head RSIC, I.I.T. Powai, Mumbai and Manager, Atic Industries Limited, Atul for C, H, N, analysis, scanning FT-IR and ¹H-NMR of polymer samples. The assistance of Dr. A. K. Bhatnagar, Head, QA/QC, Reliance Industries LTD., Hazira, Surat is acknowledged for scanning the thermograms.

Notes

X₁ mole fraction of CPMI in Feed; F₁ mole fraction of CPMI in copolymer.