Synthesis of high molecular weight poly(methyl methacrylate) microspheres by suspension polymerization in the presence of silver nanoparticles

To prepare high molecular weight (HMW) poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/silver microspheres, methyl methacrylate was suspension-polymerized in the presence of silver nanoparticles using a low-temperature initiator at different conditions. The rate of conversion was increased with increasing initiator concentration. In the case of adding silver nanoparticles, the rate of polymerization decreased slightly. High monomer conversion (about 95%) was obtained in spite of low polymerization temperature of 30 °C. Under controlled conditions, PMMA/silver microspheres with various viscosity-average degree of polymerization (6,000–37,000) were prepared.     

苯氧铜/正丁基锂体系引发MMA负离子聚合及其活性特征的研究

采用苯氧铜/正丁基锂(PhOCu/n-BuLi)体系引发MMA聚合, 通过GPC, ¹H NMR对聚合物进行了表征. 实验结果表明, 该体系聚合反应速度较快, 温度、引发体系组成是影响聚合物分子量及其分布、单体转化率、引发剂引发效率、聚合物的立构规整性的主要因素; －40 ℃时分子量分布比较窄, 但引发效率也比较低(大约15%). 低引发效率、宽分子量分布与引发剂的聚集状态有关. 分子量与单体浓度、引发剂浓度的关系说明, 该体系具有一定程度的活性聚合特点.     

Syntheses of cardanol-based cationic surfactants and their use in emulsion polymerisation

Six quaternary ammonium salts were designed and synthesised with moderate to high yields in three steps, based on cardanol, a low-cost and abundant renewable resource. The new ammonium salts can act as reactive surfactants due to their having both a hydrophilic ammonium group and a hydrophobic unsaturated alkyl chain. The gemini surfactants with a linker of a linear saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon chain exhibited a relatively low CMC value (≤ 0.2 mmol L^?1) and surface tension (≤ 27 mN m^?1), signifying that this kind of amphiphile exhibited good surface active properties. The photo-active gemini surfactant with critical micelle concentration (CMC) of 0.05 mmol L^?1 was used successfully as the sole emulsifier in the emulsion polymerisation of methyl methacrylate (MMA). In addition, a benzyl bromide-containing surfactant can act as both an atom transfer radical polymerisation (ATRP) initiator and an emulsifier in an activator generated by the electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerisation (AGET ATRP) of MMA in emulsion. The value of the number-average molecular mass of the resulting cardanol-end poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is M_n,GPC = 45.1 kDa, with polydispersity of 1.39.     

Controlled grafting of MMA onto cellulose and cellulose acetate

Homogeneous graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto cellulose and cellulose acetate was carried out in various solvents and solvent systems taking ceric ammonium nitrate, tin (II) 2-ethyl hexanoate [Sn(Oct)₂] and benzoyl peroxide as initiators. The effect of solvents, initiators, initiator and monomer concentration, on graft yield, grafting efficiency and total conversion of monomer to polymer were studied. Formation of Ce³⁺ ion during grafting in presence of CAN enhances the grafting efficiency. Methylene blue was used as a homopolymer inhibitor and controlled the molecular weight of the grafted polymer and its effect on grafting was also studied. In presence of MB, amount of PMMA homopolymer formation reduced and consequently grafting efficiency increased. The number average molecular weights and polydispersity indices of the grafted PMMA were found out by gel permeation chromatography. The products were characterized by FTIR and ¹H-NMR analyses and possible reaction mechanisms were deduced. Finally, thermal degradation of the grafted products was also studied by thermo-gravimetric and differential thermo-gravimetric analyses.     

Chemical recycling of poly(methyl methacrylate) by pyrolysis. Potential use of the liquid fraction as a raw material for the reproduction of the polymer

Pyrolysis of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was studied as an effective way to recycle this polymer and recover its monomer methyl methacrylate (MMA). Experiments were carried out in a laboratory fixed bed reactor using either a model polymer or a commercial product based on PMMA as feedstock. Gaseous and liquid products obtained from polymer degradation were analysed and it was found that the oil fraction constituted mainly of the MMA monomer. Thus, the possibility of directly using the liquid product for the reproduction of the polymer was further investigated. Polymerizations accomplished in a differential scanning calorimeter using azo-bis-isobutyronitrile as initiator and different reaction temperatures. Results obtained were compared to corresponding data from polymerization of neat monomer. It was found that the pyrolysis liquid fraction can be polymerized and produce a polymer similar to the original PMMA. However, even small amounts of other organic compounds (mainly methyl esters) included in this fraction act as non-ideal reaction retarders, altering the reaction rate curve and lowering the glass transition temperature and the average molecular weight of the polymer produced.     

Experimental Design and Statistical Analysis of AGET ATRP of MMA in Emulsion Polymer Reactor

This study investigates atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl methacrylate (MMA) using activators generated by electron transfer (AGET) as the initiation technique in an emulsion well‐mixed 2L stirred tank reactor. The performance of the AGET ATRP of MMA is analyzed for five key independent variables, namely temperature, catalyst complex (CuBr2/dNbpy), initiator (EBiB), reducing agent (ascorbic acid), and surfactant (Brij 98). The reaction is carried out based on a two‐step polymerization procedure. A resolution 5 fractional factorial design technique is employed to assess the influence of the five independent variables on the monomer conversion, polymer average molecular weights, and polydispersity index (PDI). An input–output model is constructed from the data of 21 designed experimental tests. A statistical analysis of the results shows that the temperature is the most influential variable for the three output process responses. The initiator strongly affects the poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) molecular weights. It is the least important key variable affecting MMA conversion and PDI, and the surfactant is the least one affecting PMMA Mn. On assessing the independent interactions effect, the interactions of temperature‐surfactant on conversion, and temperature‐initiator for PMMA M_n are considered. Process simulation in 3D mapping has demonstrated that model predictions agree well with experimental data.     

Synthesis of PMMA‐b‐PBA block copolymer in homogeneous and miniemulsion systems by DPE controlled radical polymerization

In this research, poly(methyl methacrylate)‐b‐poly(butyl acrylate) (PMMA‐b‐PBA) block copolymers were prepared by 1,1‐diphenylethene (DPE) controlled radical polymerization in homogeneous and miniemulsion systems. First, monomer methyl methacrylate (MMA), initiator 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) and a control agent DPE were bulk polymerized to form the DPE‐containing PMMA macroinitiator. Then the DPE‐containing PMMA was heated in the presence of a second monomer BA, the block copolymer was synthesized successfully. The effects of solvent and polymerization methods (homogeneous polymerization or miniemulsion polymerization) on the reaction rate, controlled living character, molecular weight (M_n) and molecular weight distribution (PDI) of polymers throughout the polymerization were studied and discussed. The results showed that, increasing the amounts of solvent reduced the reaction rate and viscosity of the polymerization system. It allowed more activation–deactivation cycles to occur at a given conversion thus better controlled living character and narrower molecular weight distribution of polymers were demonstrated throughout the polymerization. Furthermore, the polymerization carried out in miniemulsion system exhibited higher reaction rate and better controlled living character than those in homogeneous system. It was attributed to the compartmentalization of growing radicals and the enhanced deactivation reaction of DPE controlled radical polymerization in miniemulsified droplets. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 4435–4445, 2009     

硫氰基/有机铜锂体系引发MMA阴离子聚合研究

采用有机锂为引发剂,以甲基丙烯酸酯（MMA）类为单体进行阴离子聚合,其副反应较严重,因为在此类单体分子中存在卢碳和羰基碳两个亲核点,引发剂进攻羰基碳则会使链终止,在聚合过程中发生各种副反应,以碱金属（Li,Na,K）为反离子的有机碳负离子化合物,其亲核性较强,倾向于进攻羰基碳,因此甲基丙烯酸酯类单体的阴离子聚合除了采用较大立体阻碍引发剂外。     

Study on soap‐free P(MMA‐EA‐AA or MAA) latex particles with narrow size distribution

Soap‐free poly(methyl methacrylate‐ethyl acrylate‐acrylic acid or methacrylic acid) [P(MMA‐EA‐AA or MAA)] particles with narrow size distribution were synthesized by seeded emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA), ethyl acrylate (EA) and acrylic acid (AA) or methacrylic acid (MAA), and the influences of the mass ratio of core/shell monomers used in the two stages of polymerization ([C/S]_w) and initiator amount on polymerization, particle size and its distribution were investigated by using different monomer addition modes. Results showed that when the batch swelling method was used, the monomer conversion was more than 96.0% and particle size distribution was narrow, and the particle size increased first and then remained almost unchanged at around 600 nm with the [C/S]_w decreased. When the drop‐wise addition method was used, the monomer conversion decreased slightly with [C/S]_w decreased, and large particles more than 750 nm in diameter can be obtained; with the initiator amount increased, the particle size decreased and the monomer conversion had a trend to increase; the particle size distribution was broader and the number of new particles was more in the AA system than in the MAA system; but the AA system was more stable than the MAA system at both low and high initiator amount. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

超临界二氧化碳中无水相涂料的合成与表征

为了减小传统纸张涂布中涂料水分对涂布能耗、涂布质量以及对涂布原纸质量的影响,研究了以超临界二氧化碳为反应介质,制备聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯(PMMA)和碳酸钙颜料混合的粉末涂料粒子.通过FTIR、GPC-十八角度激光光散射联用技术对PMMA组成结构进行了表征,考察了反应体系中引发剂浓度、单体浓度、稳定剂浓度、反应温度和反应时间对聚合反应的转化率和聚合产物的分子量的影响.实验表明,当反应条件为反应压力10MPa,反应温度75℃,反应时间8h,单体浓度0.10g/mL,引发剂浓度0.10×10-2g/mL,稳定剂浓度0.06×10-2g/mL时,其聚合反应的转化率较高,同时PMMA的分子量适中,分子量分布窄.SEM观察到混合涂料粒子颗粒均匀,表明颜料在粉末涂料体系中分散性良好.     

Synthesis and characteristics of snowman-like fluorescent PMMA microbeads

This paper reports the fabrication of fluorescent snowman-like poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) colloidal microbeads using a two-step method. The fluorescent cross-linked PMMA seeds were first synthesized by dispersion polymerization and then swelled in a monomer solution containing the methyl methacrylate monomer, a secondary cross-linker and initiator, followed by heat-induced polymerization. Scanning electron microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the synthesis of fluorescent snowman-like particles.     

Synthesis of poly(methyl methacrylate)-<Emphasis Type="Italic">block</Emphasis>-poly(tetrahydrofuran) by photo-living radical polymerization using a 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl macromediator

The synthesis of a poly(methyl methacrylate)-block-poly(tetrahydrofuran) (PMMA-b-PTHF) diblock copolymer was attained by the photo-living radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate using 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) supported on the chain end of poly(tetrahydrofuran) (PTHF) as the macromediator. The polymerization was performed at room temperature by 2,2′-azobis(4-methoxy-2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile) as an initiator in the presence of bis(alkylphenyl)iodonium hexafluorophosphate as a photo-acid generator to produce the diblock copolymer consisting of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and PTHF blocks connected through the TEMPO. The polymerization was confirmed to proceed in accordance with a living mechanism based on linear correlations for three different plots of the first order time-conversion, the molecular weight of the copolymer versus the monomer conversion, and the molecular weight versus the reciprocal of the initial concentration of the initiator. The molecular weight distribution of the block copolymer was dependent on the molecular weight of the macromediator based on the miscibility of PMMA and PTHF.     

Designing semiencapsulation based covalently self‐healable poly(methyl methacrylate) composites by Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization

Self‐healable poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) composites were fabricated with embedded glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) encapsulated poly(melamine‐formaldehyde) microcapsules. The matrix polymers were synthesized via Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization using two different initiators; one linear and another hexafunctional. As the so prepared polymer matrix retains living characteristics, it can initiate a healing reaction when the encapsulated monomer reaches the matrix due to formation or extension of a crack and thus healing the system covalently. The effect of number of initiating functionality on healing characteristic was studied using both linear and 6‐armed star PMMA having same targeted molecular weight. Both the systems were able to restore 100% original fracture toughness after healing. However, the polymer matrix prepared by hexafunctional initiator restored the fracture toughness much faster than that of the linear polymer matrix. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 1842–1851     

ANIONIC POLYMERIZATION OF ALKYL METHACRYLATES INITIATED BY nBuCu(NCy2)Li

Anionic polymerization of methyl methacrylate(MMA),n-butyl methacrylate(nBMA)and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA)initiated by nBuCu(NCy_2)Li(1)in tetrahydrofuran(THF)at-50℃to-10℃was investigated.It was found that the polymerization of MMA and nBMA initiated by 1 proceeded quantitatively in THF to afford PMMA and PBMA with polydispersity index 1.15-1.30 and nearly 100%initiator efficiencies at-10℃.The molecular weights increased linearly with the ratio of[monomer]/[1].However,a post-polymerization experiment c...     

Cyclodextrins in polymer synthesis: polymerization of methyl methacrylate under atom‐transfer conditions (ATRP) in aqueous solution

Host guest complexes of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and randomly methylated β‐cyclodextrin (m‐β‐CD, 1 a ) were polymerized in aqueous medium using atom‐transfer radical polymerization. Ethyl 2‐bromoisobutyrate (EBIB) was used as an initiator, copper(I) bromide as the catalyst, and bipyridine (bipy) or 4,4′‐di‐(5‐nonyl)‐2,2´‐bipyridine (dNbipy) as ligands. The unthreading of m‐β‐CD during the polymerization led to water‐insoluble poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). It was found that using dNbipy resulted in higher monomer conversion than using bipy as the ligand under similar conditions. Furthermore, it is shown that the polymerization of MMA under these conditions has a living character. The polymers obtained have a much lower polydispersity than those obtained from conventional free‐radical polymerization. Also, the block copolymerization of PMMA bearing a bromoester end group with CD‐complexed styrene ( 2 a ) was carried out under ATRP conditions in aqueous medium.     

A comparison of electrospray-ionization and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry with nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy for the characterization of synthetic copolymers

Electrospray ionization (ESI-MS) and matrix assisted laser desorption-ionization (MALDI-MS) were used to determine the composition (monomer ratios) and structure (end group analysis) relative to 1H NMR spectroscopy and theoretical predictions for three different copolymers: poly(butyl acrylate/vinyl acetate) (PBA/PVAc), poly(methyl methacrylate/vinyl acetate) (PMMA/PVAc) and poly(butyl acrylate/methyl methacrylate) (PBA/PMMA). We found that the ESI results were in excellent agreement with 1H NMR spectroscopy for PBA/PVAc and PBA/PMMA copolymers whereas there was more divergence in the case of PMMA/PVAc. In the case of PBA/PMMA copolymers similar distributions of products were observe by ESI-MS and MALDI-MS with the two major products classes differing by their end-groups. One class has hydrogen and dodecylthio end groups while in the other the dodecylthio has been replaced by alpha-cyanoisopropyl from the initiator. The relative abundance of these distributions as a function of copolymer conversion for a series of reaction conditions was investigated by both ESI and MALDI. MALDI results consistently underestimated (relative to ESI) the butylacrylate monomer ratio in PBA/PMMA and the abundance of co-polymer oligomers terminated by a dodecylthio group from the chain transfer agent.     

Synthesis of core/shell structure of glycidyl–functionalized poly(methyl methacrylate) latex nanoparticles via differential microemulsion polymerization

The differential microemulsion polymerization technique was used to synthesize the nanoparticles of glycidyl-functionalized poly(methyl methacrylate) or PMMA via a two-step process, by which the amount of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) surfactant required was 1/217 of the monomer amount by weight and the surfactant/water ratio could be as low as 1/600. These surfactant levels are extremely low in comparison with those used in a conventional microemulsion polymerization system. The glycidyl-functionalized PMMA nanoparticles are composed of nanosized cores of high molecular weight PMMA and nano-thin shells of the random copolymer poly[(methyl methacrylate)-ran-(glycidyl methacrylate)]. The particle sizes were about 50 nm. The ratios of the glycidyl methacrylate in the glycidyl-functionalized PMMA were achieved at about 5–26 wt.%, depending on the reaction conditions. The molecular weight of glycidyl-functionalized PMMA was in the range of about 1 × 10⁶ to 3 × 10⁶ g mol⁻¹. The solid content of glycidyl-functionalized PMMA increased when the amount of added glycidyl methacrylate was increased. The glycidyl-functionalized polymer on the surface of nano-seed PMMA nanoparticles was a random copolymer which was confirmed by ¹H-NMR spectroscopy. The amounts of functionalization were investigated by the titration of the glycidyl functional group. The structure of the glycidyl-functionalized PMMA nanoparticles was investigated by means of TEM. The glycidyl-functionalized PMMA has two regions of T_g which are at around 90 °C and 125 °C, respectively, of which the first one was attributed to the poly[(methyl methacrylate)-ran-(glycidyl methacrylate)] and the second one was due to the PMMA. A core/shell structure of the glycidyl-functionalized PMMA latex nanoparticles was observed.     

Acidic Peroxo Salts: A New Class of Initiators for Vinyl Polymerization. IV. Kinetics of Polymerization of Methyl Methacrylate Initiated by Potassium Monopersulfate Catalyzed by Ag(l)

Abstract

Kinetics of vinyl polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) initiated by an acidic peroxo salt, such as potassium monopersulfate coupled with silver nitrate, have been investigated in aqueous medium over the temperature range from 35 to 50°C. The rates of polymerization (R_p) have been computed for various concentrations of the monomer and initiator. The effectiveness of various metal salts in catalyzing the polymerization reaction has been determined from the observed R_p values. The effects of the catalyst (AgNO₃), initiator, monomer, and various secondary aliphatic and aromatic amines on R_p and percentage conversion have been studied. The endgroups of the resultant polymers have been studied using standard methods. From the observed endgroups and kinetic results, a reaction scheme has been proposed involving initiation by ′OH or SO₄ ^? radicals, generated by the interaction of the initiator with silver nitrate and termination by mutual combination.     

Grafting onto Starch. IV. Graft Copolymerization of Methyl Methacrylate by Use of AIBN as Radical Initiator

Grafting of poly(methyl methacrylate) onto starch has been investigated in aqueous medium by using AIBN as radical initiator. Starch-g-PMMA has been characterized by determination of starch in the graft copolymer. Percentage of grafting has been determined as functions of concentration of monomer, concentration of initiator, reaction time, and temperature. From scanning electron microscopic studies, evidence for grafting of PMMA onto starch has been presented.     

Ferric oxide-catalyzed polymerization of methyl methacrylate

The polymerization of methyl methacrylate was carried out in water at various concentrations of sodium bisulfite, ferric oxide, and methyl methacrylate at 30, 40, and 50°C. The effect of ferric oxide on the rate of polymerization was studied at 50°C. Rates of polymerization increased in the presence of ferric oxide. For example, the rate of polymerization increased from 3.4 × 10^?5 mole/l.-sec to 11.8 × 10^?5 mole/l.-sec when the ferric oxide concentration was varied from 0 to 15 g/l. water. The molecular weight of the polymer decreased from an average of 1.4 × 10⁶ in the absence of ferric oxide to 2.8 × 10⁵ when the ferric oxide was present. The variation of molecular weight of the polymers with temperature and conversion was studied. At a fixed conversion of 80%, the average molecular weight decreased from 3.4 × 10⁵ at 30°C to 2.2 × 10⁵ at 50°C. The average molecular weight was also found to increase with increasing monomer and initiator concentrations. It increased from 8.1 × 10⁴ to 5.3 × 10⁵ and from 3.4 × 10⁵ to 8.9 × 10⁵ as the initiator and monomer concentrations increased from 0.01 to 0.05 mole/l. and from 0.235 to 0.705 mole/l., respectively. The apparent energy of activation for the polymerization was found to be 15.6 and 9.7 kcal/mole in absence and in presence of ferric oxide, respectively.