Investigation of the thermal degradation and stability of copolymers of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulphonic acid and methyl methacrylate

Copolymers of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulphonic acid (AMPS) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) were prepared. Thermal behaviour was studied by TG and DTG methods. Incorporation of more comonomer units, at various compositions, results in a copolymer more stable than the AMPS homopolymer. Decomposition of the copolymers involves the formation of anhydrides, the majority of which involve six-membered cyclic anhydride rings. Further heating results in the formation of a highly aromatic char at the higher temperatures. The apparent activation energies of decomposition of the homo- and copolymers were established. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Limited. All rights reserved.