Synthesis and thermal properties of fullerene-containing polymethacrylates

Three poly(methyl methacrylate-co-2-bromoethyl methacrylate) samples were prepared. The bromine groups in the copolymers were converted to azide groups followed by reaction with fullerene (C-60) to afford fullerene-containing polymethacrylates. The glass transition temperatures (T(g)s) and heat capacity changes (Delta C-p) at T-g of these polymers were measured by differential scanning calorimetry. With increasing fullerene content in the polymethacrylate, the T-g value increases while the Delta C-p value decreases. The incorporation of fullerene improves the thermal stability of the polymethacrylate as shown by thermogravimetric analysis.