The effect of MWCNTs on molar mass in in situ polymerization of styrene and methyl methacrylate

Two different in situ-polymerization techniques were studied, emulsion polymerization and combined emulsion/suspension polymerization, with styrene and methyl methacrylate in the presence of different multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). Molar masses and molar mass distributions were determined by size exclusion chromatography, and particle size of the emulsions by dynamic light scattering and rotation rheometry. The compatibility of the MWCNTs and monomer affected polymerization and therefore the molar masses. The MWCNTs stabilized the emulsions, and molar mass distributions narrowed with higher amounts of MWCNTs. In emulsion polymerization of styrene, MWCNTs increased the molar mass. The increase of molar mass was based on the compatible molecular structures of MWCNTs and styrene, so that individual nanotubes were covered by monomer clouds when initiator arrived. In combined emulsion/suspension polymerization of styrene, MWCNTs reacted with the initiator and there was less initiator to polymerize the monomer. There is probably a critical surface area of MWCNTs, for which more initiator is consumed in the reaction with MWCNTs than in polymerization of the monomer. In emulsion polymerization of MMA, monomer clouds around MWCNTs do not form due to incompatible molecular structures, and nanotubes do not enhance polymerization of MMA. In combined polymerization, the initiator is reacting with the nanotubes and the tube is acting as a carrier for initiator, and molar masses are higher.