Binary and ternary copolymers of norbornene and its derivatives with acrylates as novel materials for optoelectronics

The free-radical copolymerization of norbornene with methacrylate, tert-butyl acrylate, acrylic acid, and decyl acrylate and the benzoyl peroxide-initiated copolymerization of tert-butyl norbornenecar-boxylate and tert-butyl acrylate are studied for the first time. Novel binary and ternary copolymers are obtained, and experimental conditions (the temperature and time of reaction, initiator concentration, and comonomer ratio) affecting the compositions, molecular masses, glass-transition temperatures, and yields of the copolymers are determined. It is ascertained that the copolymers of norbornene with methyl acrylate and tert-butyl acrylate have high transparency (93–94%) in the range 300–800 nm. Because of this fact, the copolymers show promise as matrices for creation of nanocomposite materials suitable for optoelectronic applications.