Fullerene-containing branched polymethacrylates and polymer networks: Synthesis,structure, and properties

Branched poly(methyl methacrylates) containing covalently and noncovalently attached fullerene C₆₀ are synthesized and characterized by IR and UV spectroscopy. The basic physicochemical characteristics of the branched poly(methyl methacrylate) comprising covalently attached fullerene and the non-functionalized branched polymer of the same composition are compared. The effect of fullerene-containing branched poly(methyl methacrylates) on the kinetics of the crosslinking radical polymerization of 1,6-hexanediol dimethacrylate and on the structural-physical (mechanical, thermomechanical, and diffusion-sorption) properties of the resulting polymers is examined. The role of fullerene attached to the branched poly(methyl methacrylate) as an inhibitor of the crosslinking radical polymerization of dimethacrylate and as a modifier of the structure and properties of the polymers is ascertained.