Preparation and characterization of novel thermal-stable vinylidene chloride–methyl acrylate–glycidyl methacrylate copolymer

A novel copolymer was synthesized by vinylidene chloride (VDC)/methyl acrylate (MA)/glycidyl methacrylate (GMA). The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance analyses indicated that the copolymer of VDC/MA/GMA (PVMG) was synthesized successfully. The influences of GMA on the molecular weight, melting point, and thermal stability of copolymer were investigated by gel permeation chromatograph, differential scanning calorimeter, thermogravimetric analysis–FTIR, respectively. The copolymerization eliminated the phenomenon of “double melting peaks” for poly(vinylidene chloride), and the melting point was reduced to 165°C. The GMA also enhanced the thermal stability of copolymer, which was proved by the increased decomposition temperature of copolymer. The existence of GMA caused the cross-linking of the copolymer, which contributed to the improvement of barrier performance of PVMG.