Graft copolymerization of polyisobutylene and polychlorobutyl onto polystyrene waste

Poly(styrene-graft-isobutylene) (PS-graft-PIB) and poly(styrene-graft-chlor obutyl) (PS-graft-Cl-IIR) have been synthesized by the grafting of PIB and C1-IIR onto polystyrene waste in conjunction with AICI(3)/HC1 as catalyst. The grafting efficiency (GE) and overall graft composition have been studie d. The synthesized graft polymers were purified and characterized by IR and H-1 NMR analysis. Thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and differential scannin g calorimetry (DSC) were used to study the thermal characteristics of the g raft. It is shown that the grafting induces better thermal stability for po lystyrene. (C) 1999 Society of Chemical Industry.