Synthesis and properties of fullerene-containing N-vinylpyrrolidone copolymers

Branched copolymers containing covalently bonded fullerene C₆₀ were synthesized by cross-linking radical copolymerization of N-vinylpyrrolidone with triethylene glycol dimethacrylate in toluene saturated with fullerene. Their composition was studied by elemental analysis and IR and electronic absorption spectroscopy. The concentration of double bonds, characteristic viscosity, and glass-transition temperature of the fullerene-containing copolymers were determined by ozonoliysis, viscosimetry, and differential scanning calorimetry. The parameters and thermal stability of the fullerene-containing copolymers were compared with those of their non-functionalized analogs.