Suspension polymerization and characterization of transparent poly(methyl methacrylate-co-isobornyl methacrylate)

Abstract

A methacrylate copolymer based on isobornyl methacrylate (IBMA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) was synthesized in an aqueous suspension via free-radical polymerization. The potential of this copolymer as a heat-resistant optical polymer is also discussed. 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl peroxy-2-ethyl hexanoate and n-octyl mercaptan were used as the initiator and chain transfer agents, respectively. The effect of IBMA on the properties of the copolymer was investigated. The composition of the copolymer was analyzed using 1H-NMR, and the heat resistance by measuring the glass transition temperature, which exhibited a linear dependency on the IBMA content in the copolymer. Variation of the chain transfer content used in the synthesis step was effective for the optimization of the copolymer for practical use.