Gamma-rays induced copolymerization of vinyl triethoxy silane and methyl methacrylate: Their spectroscopic characterization

The gamma-ray-induced copolymerization of vinyl triethoxy silane (VTES) wit h methyl methacrylate (MMA) was developed to be used in the simultaneous pr eservation and consolidation of archeological artifacts. A detailed analysi s was performed to characterize the copolymerization reaction and conversio n. The copolymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectros copy (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and elemental analysis techniques. The mol fraction o f VTES units in the synthesized copolymers were determined by elemental ana lysis of silicone pertaining to VTES segments using inductive coupling plas ma spectroscopy (ICP). The effect of VTES mol fraction in the initial feed and the irradiation dose (6.5, 8.5, 10.0 kGy) on the yield of copolymerizat ion was investigated. The yield of the copolymerization was found to decrea se with increasing the VTES mol fraction in the monomer feed, and to increa se with increasing the irradiation dose at each monomer composition. Howeve r, using the data obtained from the ICP measurements, the mol fraction of t he VTES units in synthesized copolymers was determined to increase with inc reasing the VTES concentration in the initial monomer feed. (C) 1999 John W iley & Sons, Inc.