4-Chlorophenyl Acrylate and Glycidyl Methacrylate Copolymers: Synthesis, Characterization, Reactivity Ratios, and Application

4-Chlorophenyl acrylate (CPA) and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) copolymers having different copolymer compositions were synthesized in 1,4-dioxane using benzoyl peroxide as initiator at 70 ± 0.5°C. Using 1H-NMR spectroscopy, the composition of the two monomers in the copolymers were calculated by comparing the integral values of the aromatic and alifatic proton peaks. The reactivity ratios (average r1 = 0.03 ± 0.04 and r2 = 2.27 ± 0.55) were calculated by Fineman-Ross, Kelen-Tudos and extended Kelen-Tudos methods. The copolymers were characterized by 1H and proton decoupled 13C-NMR spectroscopies. Gel permeation chromatography was employed for estimating the Mw and Mn and Mw/Mn of the homo- and co-polymers. Thermal analysis showed copoly(CPA-GMA) (49:51) to be less stable (345°C) than poly(CPA) (417°C) at 50°C. DSC was utilized in determining the glass transition temperature. The 49:51 copolymer was chosen for making adhesives by curing with diethanolamine in chloroform. The cured resins were tested for the adhesion properties on leather-leather bonding at 50° and 90°C. It was found that the resin cured at 90°C exhibited a maximum peel strength of 1.1 N/mm, revealing a good adhesive behavior.