Synthesis, characterisation, monomer reactivity ratios and thermal stabilities of homo and copolymers of 4‐nonylphenyl methacrylate with styrene

Purpose To synthesise and characterise homo and copolymer of 4‐nonylphenyl methacrylate (NPMA) and styrene and to determine monomer reactivity ratios by the application of conventional linearisation methods such as Finemann‐Ross (F‐R) and Kelen‐Tudos (K‐T) methods. Design/methodology/approach New methacrylic monomer, NPMA with a pendant nonylphenyl group was copolymerised with styrene. All monomer and polymers (homo and copolymer) are characterised and subsequently the monomer reactivity ratio was determined. Findings The monomer reactivity ratios were determined by application of conventional linearisation methods such as F‐R (r1=0.41±0.05; r2=3.47±0.31), K‐T (r1=0.43±0.19; r2=3.54±0.09) methods. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of the polymer in nitrogen reveals that it posses very good thermal stability in comparison to alkyl acrylates due to presence of pendant nonylphnyl group. Research limitations/implications New methacrylic monomer, NPMA was synthesised by reacting nonylphenol dissolved in methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) with methacryloyl chloride in the presence of triethylamine as a base. Copolymers of NPMA with styrene were synthesised in MEK using benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as initiator under nitrogen atmosphere at different feed composition. Practical implications The method developed is a simple and easy method of copolymerisation of styrene with methacrylate to obtain copolymer of better properties. Originality/value The method developed is a novel method for enhancing the thermal, as well as surface adhesion, properties which has several applications in surface coatings and adhesives.