Synthesis and properties of functional methacrylic copolymers

In the present work, a family of functionalized statistical copolymers was synthesized by radical polymerization from a varied composition of benzyl methacrylate (BzMA) and N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) comonomers using 2,2'-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as initiator. The characterization, identification, and composition analysis of each copolymer were carried out by spectroscopic methods (FTIR and 1H-NMR). Then, different properties were evaluated: molecular size was determined by measurement of intrinsic viscosity [eta] in THF at 25 degrees C and glass transition temperature (Tg) analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry. Films were prepared by the solvent casting method from selected samples with different compositions and their mechanical properties were analyzed by tensile tests. It was observed that the composition of the functionalized copolymers substantially affects their macromolecular and mechanical properties, evidencing greater flexibility when the DMAEMA content in the copolymer increased.