Methacrylic derivatives of phenyl-1,2,4-triazoles for thermostabilization of polystyrene

This study investigates the effect of triazolylphenyl methacrylates on polystyrene thermo-oxidative degradation using non-isothermal thermogravimetric analysis. Modified polymers were synthesized via intrachain doping with 3 mol% additives during radical polymerization. Kinetic parameters—activation energy, pre-exponential factor, and rate constant—were determined using Broido and Coats–Redfern model-fitting methods. Results demonstrate that covalent incorporation of triazolylphenyl methacrylates significantly enhances thermo-oxidative stability, shifting degradation temperatures T10% and Tmax higher by 13–19 °C and 32–56 °C, respectively, while reducing overall degradation rates. These functional monomers represent promising building blocks for developing thermally stabilized polystyrene materials.