POLYMERIZATION STUDIES - THE APPLICATION OF DIFFERENTIAL THERMOGRAVIMETRIC ANALYSIS

The application of differential thermogravimetric analysis (DTGA) to t he study of polymerization mechanisms is illustrated using as examples the radical polymerization of di-n-alkyl itaconates and methyl methac rylate (MMA). Five poly (di-n-alkyl itaconates) were prepared in bulk, both in the presence and absence of n -dodecyl mercaptan and in solut ion using AIBN as initiator. The poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was photoinitiated using colloidal CdS as a photosensitizer. The thermal p roperties of the resulting polymers are described in terms of the prop osed polymerization mechanisms. The advantages and disadvantages of DT GA for the identification of thermally weak structures are discussed. (C) 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.