Copolymers Formation by Photopolymerization of (Meth)acrylates Containing Dissolved Polyheteroarylenes

Abstract

Radical photopolymerization of (meth)acrylates in the presence of dissolved polyheteroarylenes has been investigated. The kinetics of radical polymerization of unsaturated monomers in the presence of polyheteroarylenes and model compounds has been studied by Differential Scanning Photocalorimetry and Infrared Spectroscopy. From the results of investigations into the kinetics and the polymer structures (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Size-exclusion Chromatography, Thermogravimetric analysis), it has been established that radical photopolymerization of vinyl monomers in the presence of polyheteroarylenes leads to the formation of copolymers owing to chain transfer reactions and/or chain termination by the relevant condensation polymer. Using Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy the novel radicals upon the addition of model compounds for the polyheteroarylenes have been detected, and a mechanism of copolymer formation has been proposed.