Formation of microporous polymeric materials by microemulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate

Abstract

The investigated microemulsion system consisted of methyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate and water using sodium dodecyl sulphate as surfactant. Ethylene glycol dimethacrylate acting as a cross-linker was also incorporated to enhance the mechanical strengths of the microporous polymeric materials. The polymerization was carried out at room temperature using a reactive redox initiator comprising ammonium persulphate and N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylene diamine. The conductivities of the microemulsion samples were monitored during the course of polymerization. The conductivities for a bicontinuous microemulsion before and after polymerization were found to be very similar. In addition, the transformation of microstructures was also examined using a transmission as well as a field emission scanning electron microscope. It is evidenced from the micrographs that microporous polymeric materials prepared from bicontinuous microemulsion polymerization are attributed to numerous coagulations of spherical particles. A possible mechanism for the microstructural transformation is discussed based on the information of conductivity measurements and electron micrographs. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.