Synthesis and properties of a graft copolymer containing quaternary ammonium salts

An amphiphilic graft copolymer having both segments compatible with matrix polymers and ionic segments has been synthesized by radical copolymerization of isopropenylphenyl-terminated poly(beta-methyl-delta-valerolactone) macromer and methacryloxyethyltrimethylammonium chloride and characterized, and its properties have been studied. Solvent-cast blend films prepared from the graft copolymer and matrix polymers such as PMMA and PVC were highly transparent, having a surface resistance as low as similar to 10(8) Omega/sq and volume resistivity of similar to 10(9) Omega cm. X-ray microanalysis and the storage modulus of the film suggested that the low volume resistivity is attributable to the pseudo-crosslinking structure, i.e. networks consisting of the graft copolymer aggregates, and that the networks formed inside the film might act as an ion-conducting channel. The graft copolymer has a good prospect of developing a new field of application as a polymeric antistatic agent.