548-557 The paper describes the synthesis,
characterization and copolymerization behaviour of 2-ethylidene-4-methyl-1, 3-dioxolane
(A)/2-ethylidene-4 ethyl-1,3-dioxolane (B)/2-ethylidene-1,3-dioxepane (C)/2-ethylidene-1,3-dioxane
(D) monomers with styrene. Homopolymerization and copolymerization of these
monomers with styrene was carried out
in bulk using free radical initiator.
Structural characterization was done using FTIR and 1H-NMR spectroscopy.
1H NMR and FTIR spectroscopy was also used for the calculation of
percentage ring opening and copolymer composition. The ring opening in case of
ethylidene monomers having seven membered ring was maximum and minimum in case
of ethylidene monomers having five membered ring.
Thermal characterization
was done using differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry in
nitrogen atmosphere. Homopolymers of monomers A, C and D had Tg values of
50,-60 and -62oC respectively. Tg of the copolymers decreased
with increasing amounts of cyclic ketene acetal monomers in the copolymers. All
the homopolymers and copolymers were stable upto 350°C. Biodegradability of the
polymers was also evaluated using the enzyme lipase. Incorporation of 0.2 mole
fraction of these cyclic ketene acetals in polystyrene backbone improves its biodegradability