Synthesis and characterization of UV-crosslinkable unsaturated ketone group containing polystyrene films

In this study, as a serial of our previous studies, polystyrene (PS) containing acetyl group (CH3CO) was used as a raw material and condensation reaction was performed in basic medium with aliphatic saturated and unsaturated aldehydes. Synthesized modified polystyrenes (MPSs) were characterized using spectroscopic (1H NMR and IR) and chemical analysis methods. Atomic force microscopy (AFM), has been used to determine the microstructure of PS, APS and MPS with crotonaldehyde, as example. The thermal properties of polymers were investigated after crosslinking by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. The crosslinking of MPSs was quantitatively estimated from the amount of insoluble polymer as well as the change in the glass transition temperature. As a result, MPSs with crotonaldehyde and cinnamaldehyde had higher thermal properties and crosslinking than others due to two double bonds in their structure. MPSs films were resistant to corrosive mediums. After irradiation, water sorption of MPS decreased 0.65%.

► Synthesis of modified polystyrenes (MPS) with keto-groups.
► Crosslinking of MPSs by UV-irradiation.
► The effect of the keto-groups on thermal and film properties.