Copolymerization kinetics of methyl methacrylate and ethyl methacrylate by Cu(0)-mediated reversible deactivation radical polymerization was thoroughly explored. The copolymerization follows pseudo-first order kinetics in a highly controlled manner. Detailed kinetic studies revealed that two different monomers experience different enthalpic barriers in propagation, which strongly suggest that the copolymerization exhibits not perfectly, but nearly random composition. Further studies on glass transition and chain extension highlight the significance of these fundamental studies to predict thermal properties and to realize complex polymer architecture.
- Jongwon Choe
- Woo Jung Lee
- Myungwoong Kim
