Mono-acrylated isosorbide as a bio-based monomer for the improvement of thermal and mechanical properties of poly(methyl methacrylate)

Despite its optical clarity and good weatherability, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) cannot meet the needs of special occasions due to its deficient thermal and mechanical properties. To overcome these shortcomings, a type of novel bio-based monomer, mono-acrylated isosorbide, was used as a comonomer for the poly(methyl methacrylate) via a solution polymerization process. The chemical structure, the thermal and mechanical properties of the copolymerized PMMA were characterized. When the molar content of the mono-acrylated isosorbide was increased from 0% to 15%, the glass transition temperature T_g of the copolymerized PMMA was increased from 151.2 °C to 172.5 °C, and the initial decomposition temperature (T_5%) was increased from 323.1 °C to 396.3 °C. Moreover, the impact strength of copolymerized PMMA increased from 10.59 kJ m^-2 to 17.19 kJ m^-2 and the tensile strength improved from 84.02 MPa to 97.56 MPa when the mono-acrylated isosorbide was incorporated with different contents. The incorporation of rigid and thermally stable isosorbide could contribute to the improved thermal and mechanical properties of PMMA, which would find important applications in the military and aeronautical materials under harsh service environments.