Copolymerization of 4-methyl- and 4-methoxyphenyl acrylates with glycidyl methacrylate: Synthesis, characterization, reactivity ratios, and application as adhesives for the leather industry

Copolymers of 4-methyl- and 4-methoxyphenyl acrylates with glycidyl methacrylate having different copolymer compositions were synthesized in 1,4-dioxan using benzoyl peroxide as a radical initiator at 70 ± 0.5°C. The composition of the monomers in the copolymers were calculated using 1H-NMR spectroscopy by comparing the integral values of well-separated aromatic and alifatic proton peaks. The reactivity ratios were calculated by Fineman-Ross, Kelen-Tudos, and extended Kelen-Tudos methods. The copolymers were characterized by 1H-NMR and proton decoupled 13C-NMR spectroscopic techniques. Gel permeation chromatography was used for determining the {article}{empty}{document}Mw ̄{document} and {article}{empty}{document}Mₙ ̄{document} and polydispersity indexes of the copolymers. Thermal stability of the homo- and copolymers was calculated using thermogravimetric analysis, while differential scanning calorimetry was utilized in determining the glass transition temperature. Copolymers of suitable composition were chosen for curing reactions with diethanolamine in chloroform. The cured resins were tested as adhesives for leather-leather bonding at different temperatures (50, 90, 100, and 110°C). It was found that copoly(MOPA-GMA) at 50°C gave the best adhesive property over all other samples tested.