2022 Volume 46 Issue 4 Pages 411-420
In this study, we developed experimental materials that can be used in high school polymer chemistry using photo-curable resins containing a polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate derivative as a monomer. By combining two-component monomers with varying chain lengths in various substance quantity ratio combinations, changes in the physical properties of the polymer because of the copolymerization reaction were studied. Consequently, the heat of reaction associated with the formation of the copolymer, elasticity of the product, and water absorption rate varied depending on the length of the chain portion estimated from the average value of the monomer distribution ratios. The results confirm the change in the physical properties of the polymer during polymerization of the single component monomer. The copolymerization reaction was performed without using organic solvents and highly safe reagents; however, experimental operations and the physical properties of the copolymer varied. Therefore, this study helps to understand the reaction of the two-component system and predict the physical characteristics of the product from the structure of the copolymer and the distribution ratio of monomers.
