Synthesis and characterization of a branched poly(methacrylamide): Thermal stability and molecular simulation studies of their blends with vinylic polymers

The synthesis of a poly(diethylaminoethyl methacrylamide) (BP), based on a lineal methacrylamide with diethylaminoethyl branches was carried out. Thermal behavior was studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Relatively high thermal stability is found. Blends with poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA), poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and poly(monomethyl itaconate) (PMMI) were prepared. Their thermal properties in blends were studied together with miscibility, in order to improve thermal properties of vinylic polymer blends. An increase of thermal stability was found for certain blend compositions. By FTIR analysis, higher band displacements were found for low BP compositions. AFM and molecular simulation analysis were carried out in order to elucidate the structural origin leading to thermal stability and miscibility increases. Hydrophobic interactions among methyl end groups of BP and methylene groups of vinylic polymers should be the responsible of miscibility and thermal stability increases.