Abstract
Copolymers based on 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate (MATRIFE) and 2,2,2-trichlororoethyl α-fluoroacrylate (FATRICE) were synthesized in good yields by radical process initiated by tert-butyl 2,2-dimethylperoxypropanoate. Molar composition of the obtained poly(MATRIFE-co-FATRICE) copolymers were assessed by means of 1H and 19F nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and by elemental analysis. The reactivity ratios, ri, of both comonomers were determined from the Kelen-Tüdos and Finneman-Ross methods (rMATRIFE = 1.52 ± 0.03 and rFATRICE = 0.61 ± 0.03 at 74 °C) showing unexpectedly that MATRIFE is the more reactive monomer in copolymerization. Molecular weights and polydispersity indexes of poly(MATRIFE-co-FATRICE) copolymers were ranging between 1.47 and 2.68 × 104 g·mol−1 and from 1.44 to 2.21, respectively. Thermal properties of the resulting polymers were examined and thermogravimetric analyses showed a satisfactory thermal stability, a thermal decomposition occurring from 220 to 295 °C as the molar ratio of FATRICE increased in the copolymer. Moreover, the glass transition temperatures of copolymers varied from 66 to 108 °C and also increased with FATRICE molar ratio in the copolymers.