Novel methacrylated diamondoid to produce high-refractive index polymer

A novel, high-refractive index, methacrylic monomer was produced by incorporating 1-diamantane-carboxylic acid (1-D2-CA) and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA). The resulting monomer was gently polymerized with organic peroxide, and was formed transparent polymer thin film. Physicochemical and optical properties were compared with isobornyl methacrylate (IBoMA) homo-polymer film. 1-D2-CA/GMA homo-polymer reveals that the refractive index is 1.56, and the softening temperature is 107.8 °C. High thermal stability and high-refractive index of 1-D2-CA/GMA homo-polymer indicate the potential use in optical applications.