Poly (4‐nonylphenyl methacrylate): synthesis, characterisation and radical polymerisation kinetics study

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to synthesise, characterise and study polymerisation kinetics of novel 4‐nonylphenylmethacrylate (NPMA) polymer.

Design/methodology/approach

New methacrylic monomer, 4‐NPMA with a pendant nonylphenyl group was synthesised and characterised using various characterisation techniques. The free radical polymerisation kinetics study was done with the help of differential scanning calorimetry data.

Findings

The average heat of polymerisation (ΔHp) was found to be 685.43 J/g. Activation energy (E_a) of 95.86 kJ mol⁻¹ and frequency factor of (A) 3.4 × 10⁴ min⁻¹ was obtained using Kissinger method. The thermogravimetric analysis of the polymer in nitrogen reveals that it possesses very good thermal stability in comparison to alkyl methacrylates due to presence of pendant nonylphenyl group.

Research limitations/implications

New methacrylic monomer, 4‐NPMA was synthesised by reacting nonylphenol dissolved in methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) with methacryloyl chloride in the presence of triethylamine as a base. Polymerisation of 4‐NPMA was carried out in MEK using benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as initiator under nitrogen atmosphere. The kinetics study of NPMA monomer with 1.1 wt% BPO was reported for evaluation of kinetic parameters by employing the Kissinger equation.

Practical implications

This is a simple and easy method of modification of methacrylate ester with phenyl groups to obtain a polymer of enhanced properties.

Originality/value

This is a novel method for enhancing the thermal as well as surface adhesion properties of methacrylate polymers which finds several applications in surface coatings and adhesives.

Citation

Satapathy, H. and Banthia, A.K. (2008), "Poly (4‐nonylphenyl methacrylate): synthesis, characterisation and radical polymerisation kinetics study", Pigment & Resin Technology, Vol. 37 No. 1, pp. 21-27. https://doi.org/10.1108/03699420810839675