Thermal degradation of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) obtained by gamma radiation

POLY 141

Elif Vargün, evargun@metu.edu.tr and Ali Usanmaz, usanmaz@metu.edu.tr. Department of Chemistry, Middle East Technical University, Sogutozu, Ankara, 06531, Turkey
In this study, the degradation of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate), PHEMA, obtained by γ-radiation induced polymerization in aqueous solution, was investigated by TGA and MS. The polymer was gel type insoluble in common organic solvents. The DSC thermogram gave a Tg value at 88,2oC and curing exothermic peak at 110-160oC. The GC-MS spectrum showed the degradation of monomer to CH2=C(CH3)CO, CH2=C(CH3)- and (CH3)2CHCO2. The TGA thermogram of polymer showed the weight loss starting at about 100oC and gradually decreased to zero at about 400oC. The degradation is basically fragmentation of monomer as in the GC-MS spectrum. The type of fragments were registered by FT-IR connected to the TGA unit. Detailed degradation was investigated by electron impact mass spectroscopy. The fragments obtained were similar to that obtained from GC-MS of monomer and TGA of polymer. A degradation scheme was constructed for the fragmentation.
 

General Papers: Functional Materials
6:00 PM-8:00 PM, Sunday, August 19, 2007 BCEC -- Exhibit Hall - B2, Poster

Sci-Mix
8:00 PM-10:00 PM, Monday, August 20, 2007 BCEC -- Exhibit Hall - B2, Sci-Mix

Division of Polymer Chemistry

The 234th ACS National Meeting, Boston, MA, August 19-23, 2007