Reactive & Functional Polymers, Vol.47, No.2, 77-85, 2001
Functionalization of PS and PMMA by a chain transfer agent and study of their degradation
Chain transfer to ethylene bis(mercaptoacetate) in the free radical polymerisation of styrene and methyl methacrylate leads to ester and sulfide-containing polymers functionalized both in chain ends as well as in the chains. The functionalized polystyrene can be (bio)degraded from ester functions as well as from sulfide functions. Attempts to chemically degrade functionalized poly(methyl methacrylate) from sulphur functions was less successful.
Keywords:polystyrene;poly(methyl methacrylate);ethylene bis mercaptoacetate;chain-transfer;(bio)degradation