Radical Polymerization of n-BMA Using a Di-Site Phase Transfer Catalyst

Influence of ultrasonic condition on phase transfer catalyzed radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate in two phase system - A kinetic study

An ultrasonic condition assisted phase transfer catalyzed radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate was investigated in an ethyl acetate/water two phase system at 60±1°C and 25kHz, 300W under inert atmosphere. The influence of monomer, initiator, catalyst and temperature, volume fraction of aqueous phase on the rate of polymerization was examined in detail. The reaction order was found to be unity for monomer, initiator and catalyst. Generally, the reaction rate was relatively fast in two phase system, when a catalytic amount of phase transfer catalyst was used. The combined approach, use of ultrasonic and PTC condition was significantly enhances the rate of polymerization. An ultrasonic and phase transfer catalyzed radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate has shown about three fold enhancements in the rate compared with silent polymerization of MMA using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as PTC. The resultant kinetics was evaluated with silent polymerization and an important feature was discussed. The activation energy and other thermodynamic parameters were computed. Based on the obtained results an appropriate radical mechanism has been derived. TGA showed the polymer was stable up to 150°C. The FT-IR and DSC analysis validates the atactic nature of the obtained polymer. The XRD pattern reveals the amorphous nature of polymer was dominated.

Synergistic effect of ultrasonication and phase transfer catalysts in radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate - A kinetic study

Methyl methacrylate (MMA) has been polymerized to poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) by employing three different phase transfer catalysts (PTC) such as 1,4-bis(dimethylhexyl)ethylenediammoniumbromide (DMHEDAB), 1,4bis(dimethylheptyl)ethylenediammoniumbromide (DMH1EDAB) and 1,4-bis(dimethyloctyl)ethylenediammonium bromide (DMOEDAB) under the influence of ultrasound radiation. The radical polymerization was performed under unstirred condition at a temperature of 60±1°C in an oxygen free atmosphere employing water soluble K₂S₂O₈ as initiator. Various parameters such as role of [Monomer], [Initiator], [PTC], solvent and temperature were investigated on rate of polymerization (Rp) and the synergic efficacy of ultrasound wave variation and phase transfer catalysts were also assessed. It was found that the rate of polymerization (Rp) increased drastically for all the three catalyst under the influence of ultrasound and the order of efficiency was found to be [Formula: see text] This increase may be due to the number of carbon chain attached to the polar group which facilitate and accelerate the rate of polymerization.