Radiation-Induced Solid-State Polymerization in Binary Systems. III. Physical Properties of the Glassy Phase in Polymeric Systems

Abstract

In order to obtain fundamental information for polymerization of some acrylic monomers in the glassy state, glass formation and the characteristics of multicomponent systems containing acrylic monomers were investigated. Glassy states were obtained by selecting the proper balance of three conditions: supercooling tendency of the mixtures, second-order transition temperatures, and cooling rate. Systems that form glasses at -78°C were classified into Type I (monomer as part of glass-forming matrix) and Type II (monomers dissolved in glass-forming matrix). All multicomponent systems containing acrylamide or acrylic acids form a glassy state at liquid nitrogen temperature. The phase diagrams of glassy systems of Type I show the formation of a molecular complex in the range of the glass-forming composition. Second-order transition temperatures were determined dilatometrically. Finally, the formation and structures of the supercooled state were identified by studying their infrared spectra.