Synthesis, Chain Flexibility, and Glass-Transition Temperature of Poly (2,2-Diphenylethyl Methacrylate)

Six poly(2,2-diphenylethyl methacrylate) samples, with relatively low polydispersity index ( M w / M n :1.2-1.4) and M w ranging from 14.4 2 10 4 to 184.4 2 10 4 , were prepared by free-radical polymerization and fractionation. The dilute solution properties of the samples were studied by low-angle laser-light scattering in THF at 25°C and viscometry in a thermodynamically good solvent (toluene at 25°C) and in a ‹ -solvent (p-xylene at 22°C). Differential scanning calorimetry was used for the T g determination. The results are compared with those reported for poly(2-phenylethyl methacrylate) and poly(diphenylmethyl methacrylate).