# Characterization of Electron Beam-Induced Polymerization of Isodecyl Methacrylate, Benzyl Methacrylate, and Their Equimolar Mixture Based on Monomer Properties

## TL;DR

This study explores how electron beam-induced polymerization works for specific methacrylic acid derivatives and their mixtures.

## Contribution

The study reveals that polymerization rates are higher in monomer mixtures due to structural association effects.

## Key findings

- Equimolar monomer mixtures polymerize faster than pure monomers.
- Monomer association hinders structural rearrangements before polymerization.
- Analytical methods confirmed the hypothesis about structural effects.

## Abstract

The study examined the polymerization of methacrylic acid derivatives with bulky substituents (isodecyl-, benzyl-), as well as the synthesis of their copolymer through radiation initiation followed by thermal treatment. It has been discovered that the polymerization rate in equimolar monomer mixtures substantially surpasses the rate in pure monomers. We hypothesize that the substantial degree of association with the liquid monomer hinders structural rearrangements preceding polymerization. We tested this hypothesis by employing various analytical methods.