Analysis of a dimethacrylate copolymer (Bis-GMA and TEGDMA) network by DSC and 13C solution and solid-state NMR spectroscopy

In this work the effect of dilution with TEGDMA on the kinetics of Bis-GMA polymerization and on the extent of polymerization or degree of conversion was studied using (a) DSC and (b) NMR. The systems with lower viscosity and lower Tg exhibited higher extent of polymerization. For Bis-GMA/TEGDMA mixtures the calculated Tg values were found to be higher than the experimental values suggesting that a dilution effect is predominant rather than intermolecular hydrogen bonding. Solid state NMR has been shown to be a convenient method for measuring the total amount of conversion in a mixed monomer system. The disappearance of the NMR solution spectrum was used to reveal overall polymerization kinetics.