Instituto de Macromoléculas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, C.P. 68525, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Abstract:
Graft copolymers of styrene and poly(propylene oxide) were prepared by reaction between styrene and a poly(propylene oxide) methacrylate macromonomer. The graft copolymers were characterized by i.r., GPC and 1H-NMR and mechanical properties were examined. The effect of zinc chloride on the copolymerization was evaluated. The results showed a decrease in the incorporation of macromonomer in the graft copolymer when zinc chloride was added to the system. This effect has been attributed to interaction among chains of poly(propylene oxide) and the zinc chloride.