Photopolymerization of (Meth)Acrylates in the Presence of Polyheteroarylenes

The free-radical photopolymerization of (meth)acrylates in the presence of a polyheteroarylene dissolved in a monomer has been studied. The kinetics of the radical polymerization of these monomers mediated by polyheteroarylene and the corresponding model compound has been investigated by differential scanning photocalorimetry and IR spectroscopy. Based on the experimental data, it is inferred that copolymers form due to chain transfer and/or chain termination to polyheteroarylene macromolecules. With the use of ESR spectroscopy, new radicals generated upon the addition of model polyheteroarylene compound to the initial solutions are discovered and characterized. The mechanism of the formation of copolymers is advanced.