Structural design and characterization of tricycloalkyl-containing methacrylate with methyl methacrylate copolymers

Three types of tricycloalkyl-containing methacrylate with methyl methacrylate copolymers, poly(adamantyl methacrylate-co-methyl methacrylate) [P(ADMA-co-MMA)], poly(tricyclodecyl methacrylate-co-methyl methacrylate) [P(TCDMA-co-MMA)] and poly(adamantyl methacrylate-co-tricyclodecyl methacrylate-co-methyl methacrylate) [P(ADMA-co-TCDMA-co-MMA)] were synthesized via the free-radical polymerization method. The effects of structural design on the thermal, mechanical, dielectric and optical properties of the synthesized copolymers were investigated. The results showed that the tricycloalkyl-containing methacrylate copolymers increased the thermal stability, mechanical strength and transparency in the UV–visible region as compared with PMMA. Additionally, a lower water absorption and dielectric constant were obtained. These results demonstrated that tricycloalkyl-containing methacrylate copolymers are promising candidates for use as high value-added optical plastics in microelectronics and optoelectronics applications.