STABILITY AND DEGRADATION OF POLY(4-VINYLPYRIDINE) AND COPOLYMERS OF 4-VINYLPYRIDINE WITH METHYL-METHACRYLATE

The thermal stability and degradation behaviour of poly(4-vinylpyridin e) (PVP) and copolymers of 4-vinylpyridine and methyl methacrylate (VP -MMA) have been investigated. The reactivity ratios in the copolymeris ation were determined using the NMR method. The thermal stabilities of the copolymers were intermediate between those of the two homopolymer s. The products of degradation of PVP were analysed using GLC and cons ist mainly of VP monomer and traces of pyridine and 4-methylpyridine. The main degradation products of the VP-MMA copolymers are the two mon omers. The activation energies of the degradation of the homopolymers and copolymers were calculated.