POLYMERIZATION OF MICROSTRUCTURED AQUEOUS SYSTEMS FORMED USING METHYL-METHACRYLATE AND POTASSIUM UNDECENOATE

The formation of microstructured systems of methyl methacrylate (MMA) with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) in water using potassium 10-undecenoate (PUD) as the surface-active agent was investigated. Phase behavior studies for this system were conducted. Characterization of the thermodynamically stable single phase domain of the phase diagram indicated microstructural order similar to Winsor-IV microemulsions at certain compositions and lyotropic liquid crystalline behavior at higher PUD concentrations. Photoinitiated polymerizations of certain microemulsion compositions from the single phase region were conducted. Investigation of the morphology of the polymerized samples by scanning electron microscopy revealed the existence of a microporous porous structure. The continuity of the pore structure in the polymer was shown to be dependent on the microstructure of the monomer system using thermogravimetric analysis. BET adsorption studies of the dried polymer samples indicated the surface area of the porous samples to increase with water content of the precursor microemulsions. The incorporation of the polymerizable surfactant PUD in the polymer matrix was confirmed by X-ray fluorescence measurements and extraction studies. The extent of PUD incorporation in the polymer was found to be dependent on the content of MMA and EGDMA in the precursor microemulsion.