%0 Journal Article
%T Synthesis and Characterization of Poly Styrene-Co-Poly 2-Hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) Copolymer and an Investigation of Free-Radical Copolymerization Propagation Kinetics by Solvent Effects
%A Anaif M. Alhewaitey
%A Ishrat Khan
%A Naif M. Alhawiti
%J Open Journal of Polymer Chemistry
%P 63-93
%@ 2165-6711
%D 2024
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/ojpchem.2024.141004
%X A
series of homo and copolymers of styrene (ST) and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate
(HEMA) in three different media (bulk, tetrahydrofuran, and benzene) have been
investigated by free radical polymerization method. The samples obtained from
the synthesis were characterized by Fourier Transform-Infrared spectroscopy
(FT-IR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (<sup>1</sup>H NMR),
atomic force microscopy (AFM), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The
results show that the synthesis of the polymers is more feasible under neat
conditions rather than solvent directed reacti<span>on.
Moreover, the DSC data shows that the polystyrene obtained is amorp</span>hous
in nature and therefore displayed only a glass transition signal rather than
crystallization and melting peaks. In addition, this study indicates that
homolopolymerization of styrene via free radical polymerization tends to be
preferable in less polar solvent</span></span><span><span><span style=\"font-family:&quot;\">s</span></span></span><span><span><span style=\"font-family:&quot;\"> like
THF than in non-polar solvent</span></span></span><span><span><span style=\"font-family:&quot;\">s</span></span></span><span><span><span style=\"font-family:&quot;\"> like
benzene. Benzene might destabilize the formation of the reactive radicals
leading to the formation of the products. In summary, </span></span></span><span><span><span style=\"font-family:&quot;\">the </span></span></span><span><span><span style=\"font-family:&quot;\">homolpolymerization of styrene is more feasible than</span></span></span><span><span><span style=\"font-family:&quot;\"> the</span></span></span><span><span><span style=\"font-family:&quot;\"> homopolymerization 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate under the experimental
setup used. Styrene is more reactive than 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate than free
radical polymerization reaction due in part of the generation of </span></span></span><span><span><span style=\"font-family:&quot;\">the </span></span></span><span><span><span style=\"font-family:&quot;\">benzylic radical intermediate which </span></span></span><span><span><span style=\"font-family:&quot;\">is</span></span></span><span><span><span style=\"font-family:&quot;\"> more
stable leading to the formation of product</span></span></span><span><span><span style=\"font-family:&quot;\">s</span></span></span><span><span><span style=\"font-family:&quot;\"> than
alkyl radical which are less stable. Furthermore, polymerization of styrene
under neat conditions is preferable in solvent-assisted environments. The
choice of solvent
%K 2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate
%K Polymerization
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=131434