Synthesis Of Pmma And Organic/Inorganic Nanocomposite Emulsions By Uv-initiated Polymerization

UV light has become a useful tool for initiating polymerization. The PMMA and organic/inorganic nanocomposites emulsions were prepared by UV-initiated polymerization. In this work, we used FeCl3as photoinitiator. It has been found in our research that it possesses high efficient photoinitiation even though using a small percentage of photoinitiation. Moreover, there are several advantages by using FeCl3as photoinitiator such as water soluble, non-polluting, and odorless.(1) Preparation of poly(methyl methacrylate) nano-latexes via UV irradiationThe UV-initiated emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) in the presence of FeCl3was studied. The entire polymerization could be performed within10min and display a conversion higher than90%at ambient temperature. The particle sizes could be tuned in the range of20-90nm. The effects of content of initiator and emulsifying agent upon the reaction conversion, distribution of molecular weight, diameter of particles and glass-transition temperature were examined.(2) Synthesis of PMMA/SiO2hybrid nanocomposites based on UV irradiationPMMA/SiO2composites were prepared by "grafting onto" strategy based on UV irradiation. Two steps were used to graft PMMA onto the nanosilica:anchoring MPTS onto the nanosilica. Then PMMA was grafted onto MPTS molecules. Compared with the products initiated by Irgacure2959, the products initiated by FeCl3have higher monomer conversion, percent grafting and better monodispersion.(3) Preparation of ATP/PMMA particles by emulsion polymerization based on UV irradiationBead-string shaped ATP/PMMA nanocomposite particles were prepared by emulsion polymerization based on UV irradiation. There are two steps for encapsulating ATP with PMMA. Firstly, attapulgite was pretreated with CTAB in ultrasonic. Then PMMA was photopolymerized on the surface of ATP. The results showed that ATP/PMMA has been formed in this method.