Some Factors Affecting the Photosensitized Polymerization of Methyl Methacrylate

The effects of sensitizer, alcohol, and reaction temperature on the photosensitized polymerization of methyl methacrylate in cyclohexane-alcohol mixtures were investigated. A maximum conversion was indicated at a certain concentration of alcohol in the mixture for the systems sensitized with quinones such as anthraquinone, 2-tert-butylanthraquinone, and α-naphthoquinone, while it was not observed for the benzophenone-sensitized system. The concentration of alcohol corresponding to the maximum conversion increased in the order methanol < ethanol < n-propanol < n-butanol, and shifted to the lower side by raising the reaction temperature from 20 to 40°C. Based on the absorption and ESR spectra of irradiated solution of quinones, reasons for maximum conversion at an optimum concentration of alcohol are discussed.