Thermal stability of poly(chloroalkyl methacrylate)s and poly(dichloroalkyl itaconate)s

Thermogravimetric analyses of fractions of poly(2-chloroethyl methacrylate) (P2CEM), poly(3-chloropropyl methacrylate) (P3CPM), poly(di-2-chloroethyl itaconate) (PD2CEI) and poly(di-3-chloropropyl itaconate) (PD3CPI) of similar molecular weight distribution were carried out. The effect of the nature and structure of the side chain on the thermogravimetric behaviour is investigated, together with the thermal behaviour of these two groups of polymers. The relative thermal stability of the polymers studied is PD3CPI > PD2CEI > P3CPM ≥ P2CEM, by comparison of the temperature of their initial thermal degradation. The results are discussed in terms of the nature and structure of the different side chains. The kinetic parameters for the thermal degradation process were established. All samples show a first-order kinetic model for the degradation process.