Aqueous Radical Polymerization of Poly (Methyl Methacrylate): A Comparative Study of Surfactant-Free Suspension and Copper-Mediated Emulsified Systems

Abstract

Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is technologically important due to its wide range of applications, good chemical resistance and its high transparency. In this research, PMMA was prepared by two different radical polymerization methods in an aqueous medium. the first approach include surfactant free suspension initiated by potassium persulfate and second approach involved copper-mediated radical polymerisation take out in an emulsion system. these methods were employed to inspect essential way for PMMA synthesis under aqueous condtions. The impact of the reaction environment and initiator concentration on polymer formation, particle morphology, and monomer conversion was rigorously investigated. Suspension polymerization resulted in PMMA particles, which were formed via monomer droplet polymerization without surfactants; conversely, the copper-mediated system generated smaller particles that were stabilized by an emulsifier under aqueous conditions. FTIR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy confirmed the structure of PMMA, and SEM and TEM were employed to examine particle morphology and size distribution. The findings reveal distinct disparities in particle properties arising from the two aqueous polymerization methodologies, thereby illustrating the influence of the polymerization medium and catalytic system on PMMA synthesis. This comparative analysis offers valuable perspectives on aqueous radical polymerization techniques for PMMA, without suggesting controlled or living polymerization characteristics.