Poly(glycidyl methacrylate) Macromolecule

1. Basic Definition

Poly(glycidyl methacrylate), abbreviated PGMA, is a functional acrylic macromolecule carrying pendant epoxy glycidyl groups on each repeating unit.Its monomer is glycidyl methacrylate  (GMA, C₇H₁₀O₃).

2. Macromolecular Structure

Repeating Unit Formula

−[CH₂−C(CH₃)(COOCH₂CH(O)CH₂)]−

• Backbone: Carbon-carbon saturated alkane chain from methacrylate polymerization

• Side functional group: Oxirane (epoxy ring), highly reactive toward amines, carboxylic acids, hydroxyl groups

• Each repeat unit contains one epoxy group, which determines crosslinking, grafting and modification performance

Macromolecule Feature for Your Grade ((Mn x10³=40 ~ 80g/mol))

• Number-average molecular weight range: 40 000 ~ 80000 g/mol (40-80 kDa)

• Degree of polymerization calculation:Molar mass of single GMA repeat unit ≈ 142.15 g/mol

• Minimum DP: ~281 repeating units per macromolecule chain

• Maximum DP: ~563 repeating units per macromolecule chain

• Polydispersity Index (PDI): 1.7–2.3 (industrial free-radical polymerized macromolecule, moderate molecular weight distribution)

3. Macromolecular Synthesis Route (Matching Solid Powder PGMA 40–80 kDa)

The target PGMA macromolecule solid powder is mass-produced via solution free-radical polymerization + solvent precipitation:

1. GMA monomers undergo chain-growth polymerization initiated by AIBN; minimal thiol chain transfer agent is applied to achieve high molecular weight macromolecular chains.

2. High-molecular PGMA macromolecules dissolve in organic solvent to form viscous resin solution.

3. Macromolecular chains lose solubility after dropping into cold methanol poor solvent, precipitate into ultrafine solid powder.

4. Low-temperature vacuum drying avoids epoxy ring-opening degradation of macromolecular side groups.

4. Key Macromolecular Properties

1. Reactive epoxy side chains: The core functional feature of PGMA macromolecules, enabling graft modification, compatibilization and crosslinking reactions.

2. Thermoplastic main chain: The saturated poly(methacrylate) backbone provides good thermal stability without self-crosslinking at moderate temperature.

3. High molecular weight macromolecular chains (40–80 kDa):

• Improve compatibility & interfacial adhesion between polymer matrix and inorganic fillers

• Enhance mechanical performance of plastic alloys

• Reduce migration compared with low-molecular PGMA macromolecules

4. Solid powdery morphology: Entangled long PGMA macromolecular chains aggregate into loose white ultrafine powder after precipitation.

5. Industrial Application of PGMA Macromolecules

This high-molecular-weight PGMA macromolecular powder is widely used as:

• Reactive compatibilizer for PA, PBT, PC engineering plastic blends

• Epoxy functional modifier for powder coatings

• Coupling agent for glass fiber, talc and other inorganic mineral fillers

• Grafting precursor for synthesis of high-performance functional polymer materials

Short Catalog Description (for English TDS/Catalog)

Poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) macromolecule is an epoxy-functionalized acrylic polymer with number-average molecular weight ranging from 40 kDa to 80 kDa. Manufactured by solution free-radical polymerization followed by solvent precipitation, it is supplied as white ultrafine solid powder. Long linear macromolecular chains with pendant oxirane groups offer excellent reactive modification and interfacial compatibilization performance for plastics and coating systems.