Calorimetric study of free‐radical polymerized poly(p‐biphenyl acrylate) and poly(p‐cyclohexylphenyl acrylate)

Abstract

DSC traces and specific heat data for poly(p‐diphenyl acrylate) (PPBA) and poly(p‐cyclohexylphenyl acrylate) (PPCPA) obtained by radical polymerization are reported. The results indicate the existence of a definite ordered phase and of a reversible firstorder solid–liquid transition in both polymers although x‐ray diffraction studies showed that they are not crystalline in the conventional sense. The extent of the ordered phase present in each polymer is calculated, and the problems involved in such determination by thermal measurements are discussed. On the basis of the experimental results reported here in conjunction with the x‐ray data, models are proposed for the morphology of these polymers.