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Polymerization‐induced phase separations in branched poly(methyl methacrylate) synthesis
Author(s) -
Kwok Alan Y.,
Neo Su Ann,
Qiao Greg G.,
Solomon David H.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.22280
Subject(s) - ethylene glycol dimethacrylate , methyl methacrylate , polymer chemistry , monomer , polymerization , polymer , heptane , ethylene glycol , methacrylate , materials science , chemical engineering , phase (matter) , poly(methyl methacrylate) , bulk polymerization , chemistry , radical polymerization , organic chemistry , composite material , methacrylic acid , engineering
Methyl methacrylate and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate or 1,6‐hexanediol dimethacrylate (HDDMA) were copolymerized in the presence of a nonsolvent (heptane) for poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) to examine the phenomenon of polymerization‐induced phase separations (PIPS) in branched PMMA synthesis. The process was dependent upon the amount of nonsolvent and crosslinker in the reaction mixture. Gel particles were obtained in the majority of phase‐separated systems, and their formation was promoted by the preferential partition of monomer and crosslinker into the precipitated polymer phase during the phase separation process. Experimental data showed that, because of its lower solubility parameter, HDDMA can be used as crosslinker to minimize gel particle formation in systems where PIPS is present. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 98: 1462–1468, 2005