Optimization of initiator contents in room temperature polymerization of methyl methacrylate

Abstract

Vinyl polymerization is an important path for in-situ polymerization of thermoplastic resins. BPO (Benzoyl peroxide) and DMT (dimethyl-p-toluidine) were chosen to initiate the radical polymerization of MMA (methyl methacrylate) in this work. Optimization of initiator concentration was studied through reaction rate of polymerization progress and properties of PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate). At first, the catalytic of DMT in MMA polymerization was studied through polymerization experiments and rheological experiments. Results showed that DMT could catalyze more than one molecular BPO in the whole reaction period. It can catalyze the decomposition of BPO after being connected to PMMA chains. Second, the BPO: DMT ratio was set to 2:1 to study the ideal content by comparing the mechanical properties of PMMA. Results showed that with the increase of initiator contents, T g, molecular weight, and residual monomer were all declining. Meanwhile, the mechanical properties of PMMA matrix first increased and then decreased. This phenomenon was analyzed by 1H-NMR and SEM. And the optimal BPO-DMT concentration was 1.0 mol%–0.5 mol%.