The impact of cross-linking degree on the thermal and texture behavior of poly(methyl methacrylate)

The presented study was performed to examine the effect of chemical cross-linking on the properties of poly(methyl methacrylate) polymer. Chemically cross-linked PMMA based on aliphatic or aromatic spacers has been synthesized using solution polycondensation method. Cross-linked PMMA derivatives of different ratios were prepared by the interaction of PMMA with 1,6-diaminohexane or p-phenylenediamine as cross-linking agent using dry THF as solvent. The degree of cross-linking has been controlled by different amount of added diamine compound: 5, 10, 20 and 30 mass%. The new cross-linked polymers were characterized by various characterization tools: Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and thermal analysis including thermogravimetric analysis, and X-ray diffraction analysis. Furthermore, the morphological features were tested by studying the surface changes using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). This study was aimed to investigate the effect of modified chemical structure on the surface of the cross-linked polymer. The FT-IR results indicated that the PMMA was interacted with selected diamine in chemical way. The degree of crystallinity was changed from polymer to another depending on the cross-linking type and ratio. FE-SEM results showed that controlled designed micropores were obtained after cross-linking with aromatic spacer. The final shape and size of these pores were completely depending on the degree of cross-linking.