Abstract:

A series of radiopaque copolymers were synthesized via the free radical polymerization of 2-(2′-iodobenzoyl)ethyl methacrylate(2-IEMA) with butyl methacrylate(BMA). The compositions of 2-IEMA and BMA in the copolymers calculated by means of 1H NMR spectra were found to be in agreement with their feed molar ratios. The GPC analyses present that the Mn is decreased with the increase of 2-IEMA content. The DSC results imply that the Tg of the copolymers is between 22.3~28.0 ℃ which is in agreement with the result calculated by means of FOX equation, and the Tg of copolymers is increased with the increase of 2-IEMA content. The TGA measurements reveal that the thermal stability of the C—I bond endows the copolymers high thermal decomposition temperature. The mechanical testing shows that the tensile strength of the resulting copolymers is increased with the increase of BMA content with the maximum tensile strength reaching 7.46 MPa. These copolymers show the radiopacity as evidenced by X-ray fluoroscopy and their radiopacity is increased with the increase of 2-IEMA content.

Key words: Radiopaque polymer, Free radical polymerization, Butyl methacrylate