Abstract

Background: The high-technology industries have been the driving force in the development of new synthetic polymers that combine thermal stability with specific functional properties. In this study p-chlorophenylmaleimide, phydroxyphenylmaleimide and p-nitrophenylmaleimide (R-PhMI) with 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) were synthesized by free radical polymerization to obtain hydrophilic polymers, in order to study the effect of the p-chloroaryl, p-hydroxyaryl or p-nitroaryl group on the copolymer composition, electrochemical behavior and thermal properties. Results: The thermal behavior was correlated with the copolymer composition and functional groups, maleimide derivatives, on the copolymers. Thermal decomposition temperature (TDT) and glass transition temperature (Tg) were influenced by the functional groups of R-PhMI moiety on the copolymer. The polymers showed an electrochemically irreversible reduction process under the conditions tested. Conclusion: Poly[(p-chloromaleimide)-co-(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)] copolymer shows a higher TDT than poly[(phydroxymaleimide)-co-(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)] or poly[(p-nitromaleimide)-co-(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)] (NPHE). Tg de{ring operator} creases in going from nitro to hydroxyl to chloro groups. The NPHE copolymer shows a lower stability, losing weight at 200°C. The NPHE copolymer shows a well-defined reduction wave which is similar to those of the other copolymers and it also shows an additional quasi-reversible reduction wave corresponding to the nitrobenzene group. © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry.