Photo polymerized interpenetrating polymer network of poly(antimony acrylate) and poly(arsenic acrylate): Synthesis and characterization

A series of IPN based on poly(antimony acrylate) and poly(arsenic acrylate) have been synthesized by a sequential mode of synthesis. Formation of complex based on polymer solvent method reflects the contraction of the polymer coils by determining the value of mutual interaction constant (k(AB)) in different solvents such as dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) (k(AB)=0.60); dimethylformamide (DMF) (k(AB)=0.42); dioxane (k(AB)=0.26) predicting weak Vander Waal interaction. The scanning electron microscopy reveals dual phase morphology of both metal acrylates. The infrared spectrum indicates characteristic frequencies of (>C=O) at 1730 cm(-1), thus giving structural evidence for IPN. The properties namely percentage swelling, average molecular weight between crosslinks(M-c),Young's modulus, increases with concentrations of linear polymer(polyantimony acrylate) and initiator (benzoyl peroxide). However, it decreases with concentrations of monomer (arsenic acrylate) and crosslinker (divinyl benzene).The value of activation energy calculated from thermo gravimetric analysis is 15 KJ/mol.