I have read that it's possible to initate polymerization of MMA by exposing it to UV light. Unfortunetlly i haven't find any protocols or sugesstions how to perform this kind of polymeryzation. Has anyone have experience in this kind of method, and could tell what is needed to perform this?
The most common method, for polymerizing MMA, is free radical polymerization "which is relatively easy". It can be polymerized by UV light or gamma-radiation but under "strict" absence of oxygen & under an inert blanket of dry nitrogen.The monomer has to be very pure.
If no observable change is detected upon exposure to UV "by e.g. dilatometer" , then some photosensitizer "such as benzoyl peroxide" is added to the monomer after which UV is directed to the clean flask containing the reaction system.
I am attaching a reference which may help in your research project. Note that it is seldom to have "full" protocols for preparing important industrial polymers since researchers will aim at profiting from patents.
The most common method, for polymerizing MMA, is free radical polymerization "which is relatively easy". It can be polymerized by UV light or gamma-radiation but under "strict" absence of oxygen & under an inert blanket of dry nitrogen.The monomer has to be very pure.
If no observable change is detected upon exposure to UV "by e.g. dilatometer" , then some photosensitizer "such as benzoyl peroxide" is added to the monomer after which UV is directed to the clean flask containing the reaction system.
I am attaching a reference which may help in your research project. Note that it is seldom to have "full" protocols for preparing important industrial polymers since researchers will aim at profiting from patents.
Acrylic esters are chromophores which absorb within the UV-vis range. Without oxygen inhibation (keyword storage stabilization) or with high intensity polymersiation occurs.
Article Introduction to analyzing the solidification of multifunctio...
The mechanism Photo-induced polymerization can be Norrish-type I or Norrish-type II. Using a coninitiator e.g. R2NCH3(sometimes called sensitizer) but not a thermal initiator is normally required to achieve a sufficient polymerization for Norrish-type II initiators.
Article Synthesis and testing of ZnO nanoparticles for photo-initiat...
Your MMA is probably stabilized by a free radical inhibitor that needs to be removed first. Vacuum distillation (Rotovap) and collecting the distillate on ice and keeping it dark or alternate methods (packed columns with some ion exchange resins). Remove oxygen as it is also a radical scavenger. The monomer should polymerize with exposure to UV light, otherwise you can speed it up by adding a light- sensitive initiators, like DMPA.
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