High Tg and excellent ultraviolet-shielding efficiency modified PMMA derived from protocatechuic acid

The precise synthesis of acrylate derived from protocatechuic acid was reported for the first time via a simple two-step reaction route. Copolymerizing the monomer with methyl methacrylate in the presence of radical initiator gave the copolymers. The copolymer exhibited high glass transition temperature ( T g ) and thermostability, excellent ultraviolet-shielding efficiency and good dimensional stability. Moreover, the modified polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) also showed good mechanical properties while the transparency lightly decreased in visible light. The best results were obtained when the weight ratio of methyl methacrylate and protocatechuic acid -based acrylate was 1:1. In that case, the cured polymer showed T g of 159.6 °C and a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of 69.54 ppm/°C. The shielding rate of copolymer reached 99.38% in ultraviolet light (320–400 nm) and 82.56% in short-wave blue light (400–450 nm). These indicated that it may be applied to lenses, and this contribution would provide a new way for the conversion of bio-based glucose to the high-performance polymers.