ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Dispersion polymerization of methyl-methacrylate in heptane

O. Šušoliak and J. Bartoň

Polymer Institute, Centre for Chemical Research, Slovak Academy of Sciences, CS-842 36 Bratislava

Abstract: The particle size of poly(methyl methacrylate) dispersion is a function of relative molecular mass and concentration of the three-block isoprene—styre­ ne—isoprene copolymer operating as a dispersant of the polymer dispersion. The influence of temperature of polymerization on the particle size of poly(methyl methacrylate) dispersion in the interval 50—90 °C is negligible. In contrast to the results hitherto published, the study of the influence of dispersant on the rate of dispersion polymerization has shown that this rate is influenced by concentration and molecular mass of the polymer dispersant. The polymer dispersant has no capability to influence directly the rate of polymeri­ zation. It only regulates the size of arising particles and thus the change in polymerization rate due to dispersant is to be regarded as a result of the influence of the change in size of polymer particles. The rate of dispersion polymerization increases with concentration of the polymer dispersant, i.e. with diminution of particles. A similar but more conspicuous dependence appears if polymer dispersants with different molecular mass are used.

Full paper in Portable Document Format: 393a379.pdf

Chemical Papers 39 (3) 379–390 (1985)