In this work, the possibility of preparation of copolymers of three-dimensional crosslinked structure based on polypropylene glycol fumarate and acrylic acid is shown. The initial reagent polypropylene glycol fumarate has been synthesized by polycondensation reaction of fumaric acid and propylene glycol. The curing process of polypropylene glycol fumarate and acrylic acid at various mole concentrations was studied using DSC method at isothermal and dynamic regimens. Curing in isothermal condition was carried out at temperatures of 60 °C, 70 °C, and 80 °C. Residual reactivity was evaluated at a dynamic regimen within the temperature range from 30 °C to 200 °C at a constant heating rate. On the basis of calorimetric studies, the thermal effects and kinetic parameters of the reaction (conversion, reaction rate, activation energy) have been determined. Thermal behavior of cured samples of p-PGF-AA was estimated using dynamic thermogravimetry (TGA). According to TGA data, the process of decomposition of the studied copolymers proceeds in several stages. Based on the results obtained, the activation energies of thermal decomposition were calculated using the iso-conversional methods of Kissinger–Akakhira–Sunose and Friedman.

Studies have shown the possibility of synthesizing new polymers based on polypropylene glycol maleate with acrylic acid in the presence of a RAFT agent (2-Cyano-2-propyl dodecyl trithiocarbonate CPDT). The effect of RAFT agent concentration on network density has been shown to be connected with product yield. Herein, the composition of the obtained copolymers was determined using FTIR spectrometry in combination with the chemometric method of partial least squares (or projection to latent structures). To investigate the synthesized hydrogels, the degrees of equilibrium swelling was studied. The resulting objects were characterized by infrared spectroscopy. The surface morphology of the polymers was studied and the pore sizes were estimated using scanning electron microscopy. The structure of the test samples was confirmed by NMR spectroscopy. The thermal stability of crosslinked polymers was determined using thermogravimetry.

For the first time, the kinetics of isothermal curing and thermal degradation of polyethylene glycol maleate (pEGM)–based systems and their composites with mineral fillers were investigated in the presence of a benzoyl peroxide/N,N-Dimethylaniline redox-initiating system. DSC analysis revealed that the curing process at 20 °C can be described by the modified Kamal autocatalytic model; the critical degree of conversion (α_c) decreases with increasing content of the unsaturated polyester pEGM and in the presence of fillers. In particular, for unfilled systems, α_c was 0.77 for pEGM45 and 0.60 for pEGM60. TGA results demonstrated that higher pEGM content and the incorporation of fillers lead to increased thermal stability and residual mass, along with a reduction in the maximum decomposition rate (dTGₘₐₓ). Calculations using the Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose and Friedman methods also confirmed an increase in the activation energy of thermal degradation (E_a): E_KAS was 419 kJ/mol for pEGM45 and 470 kJ/mol for pEGM60, with the highest values observed for pEGM60 systems with fillers (496 kJ/mol for SiO₂ and 514 kJ/mol for CaCO₃). Rheological studies employing three-interval thixotropy tests revealed the onset of thixotropic behavior upon filler addition and an increase in structure recovery after deformation of up to 56%. These findings underscore the potential of pEGM-based systems for low-temperature curing and for the design of composite materials with improved thermal resistance.

The paper presents information on the study of physical and chemical properties of solutions of polyethylene glycol maleate in acrylic acid and products of their ‘cold’ curing. The weight-average molecular weight of the initial polyethylene glycol maleate was established using the GPC method. The value of the degree of unsaturation of both the initial unsaturated polyester and copolymers based on it was determined using the bromide-bromate method. The dynamic viscosity of the polymer-monomer mixture of polyester and acrylic acid was established using viscometry. The density of the stock solutions was analyzed using the pycnometric method and the density of the cured products was determined using the hydrostatic method. The total volume shrinkage of the copolymers was calculated from the obtained density values. The composition of the copolymers was analyzed/studied with the help of HPLC. The degree of swelling of the cured products was also calculated by gravimetric method, and their identification was carried out using IR- and 1Н NMR-spectroscopy. The surface topography of cured copolymers was investigated by SEM. The results obtained indicate to the possibility of controlling the properties of cured unsaturated polyester by varying the initial composition of polymer-monomer mixture depending on its purpose and obtaining on its basis the polymer matrix for the manufacture of bulk products with good physical and chemical properties.

The possibility of using the copolymers based on unsaturated polyesters with acrylic acid (AA) as the main component (polymeric basis) for the creation of novel highly effective sealants and glues of domestic produc-tion was demonstrated. Polyethylene glycol maleate (p-EGM) was synthesized by step-growth polymeriza-tion of maleic anhydride with ethylene glycol using the catalyst, which shortened the process duration. A number of solutions of p-EGM with AA were obtained. Physicochemical characteristics of initial solutions were determined. Some rheological properties of the solutions of p-EGM in unsaturated carboxylic acid were studied. Radical polymerization — the process of “cold curing” of the solutions of p-EGM with AA at room temperature was carried out. The combination of initiating a system of cold curing consisting of initiator (benzoyl peroxide) and promoter (dimethylaniline) was selected and their optimal content in the initial mon-omer mixture was established. The main parameters of curing, namely gelation time and curing time, were determined. Identification of the copolymers was performed using IR-spectroscopy. The morphology of the surfaces of cured samples of p-EGM with AA was studied using SEM. The optimal composition requiring further studies as highly filled compositional polymeric materials for using as sealants and glue basis was es-tablished.

The rheological behavior and low-temperature curing kinetics of poly(ethylene glycol fumarate)–acrylic acid systems initiated by benzoyl peroxide/N,N-dimethylaniline have been investigated for the first time with a focus on the development of thermosetting binders with controllable properties. It has been established that both composition and temperature have a significant effect on rheological behavior and kinetic parameters. Rheological studies revealed non-Newtonian flow behavior and thixotropic properties, while oscillatory tests demonstrated structural transformations during curing. Increasing the temperature was found to accelerate gelation, whereas a higher polyester content retarded the process, which is crucial for controlling the pot life of the reactive mixture. DSC analysis indicated that isothermal curing at 30–40 °C can be satisfactorily described by the Kamal autocatalytic model, whereas at 20 °C, at later stages, and at higher polyester contents, diffusion control becomes significant. The thermal behavior of cured systems was investigated using thermogravimetry. Calculations using the isoconversional Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose and Friedman methods confirmed an increase in the apparent activation energy for thermal decomposition, suggesting a stabilizing effect of poly(ethylene glycol fumarate) in the polymer structure. The studied systems are characterized by controllable kinetics, tunable viscosity, and high thermal stability, making them promising thermosetting binders for applications in composites, construction, paints and coatings, and adhesives.