Facile Method to Synthesis of Golf Ball-Like Particles via Early-Ceased Seeded Dispersion Polymerization

Abstract

Golf ball-like poly(methyl methacrylate) particles were produced via seeded dispersion polymerization of 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate with poly(methyl methacrylate) seed beads in the presence of saturated hydrocarbon droplets and evaporation of the hydrocarbon after the polymerization. It was observed that the particles are acquired in the form of a stable dispersion if the reaction is ceased around 42% of monomer conversion. Moreover, the effect of different reaction conditions (e.g. hydrocarbon and stabilizer type, initiator and monomer content, and polarity of the medium) on the shape and stability of the produced particles was investigated. It was revealed that the number and size of the dents on the surface of the golf ball-like particles could be manipulated easily with a simple change in each one of the parameters referred to above. In addition, the experimental results showed that some of the particles become unstable and diffuse into each other during polymerization, resulting in the formation of huge golf ball-like objects. The production of disk-like poly(methyl methacrylate) particles via fully developed seeded dispersion polymerization in the presence of a hydrocarbon which owns lengthy alkyl chain was another interesting finding of this study.