Synthesis and thermal degradation kinetics of poly(benzyl methacrylate)/graphite composites

Abstract

In this work, poly(benzyl methacrylate) poly(BzMA) was synthesized by free radical polymerization in 1,4-dioxane solution at 70 oC, using 2,2'-Azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as initiator. Poly(benzyl methacrylate)/graphite (poly(BzMA)/G) composites were successfully prepared in various ratios of graphite via solvent casting technique. The structural properties of the composites were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential thermal analysis (DTA). DTA measurements showed that the Tg values of the composites were lower than the Tg value of the homopolymer. Thermal stability of the polymer decreased when the amount of graphite in the polymer is increased. The average of activation energy of poly(BzMA)/G 5% via FWO method was calculated as 182.7 kJ/mol.