Pairs of Reactive Radicals as Probes of a Polymer Structure

Polymer chemists used to study and evaluate macroscopic properties of polymers and polymer articles (hardness, adhesion, elongation, stiffness, Tg, abrasion-resistance, different thermal and mechanical properties, conductivity, etc.) Study of such properties and evaluation of polymers not necessarily requires understanding of their molecular structure. However, it is very desirable to understand polymer structure and properties at a molecular level upon the study of permeability, aging indoors and outdoors of polymers, the role of low MW impurities. Many polymers or polymeric coatings prepared by free-radical photopolymerization (UV-cure) have residual photo initiators (PI). Presence of PI and peculiarities of a chemical structure of coatings affect their such important property as weatherability.