Effect of microwave activation on polymerization rate and molecular weight development in emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate

Polymerization rate and molecular weight development experimental results for the emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA), in the presence of potassium persulphate (PPS) as initiator, and activated with a 50 W microwave source, are reported. The polymerization kinetics of the microwave activation experiment (MA) was compared against a traditional conductive heating (CH) polymerization reaction. The number average molecular weights, M n , of the polymer samples obtained with microwave activation were significantly higher than those obtained from conductive heating. These high values of M n were obtained from the beginning of the polymerization reaction. Polydispersity index (PDI) values in the range of 1.18 to 1.83 were obtained in the microwave irradiated samples. These values are lower than those produced by conventional emulsion polymerization of styrene and other vinyl monomers, and resemble the PDI values obtained in controlled-radical polymerization processes. Polymer particles of submicron size (60 to 100 nm) were obtained.