Polymerization of methyl methacrylate in water and in water/methanol mixtures

Abstract

AbstractThe polymerization of methyl methacrylate in water and in water/methanol mixtures using sodium bisulphite as initiator was studied in nitrogen and in air atmospheres. Both conversion and number average molecular weights of the polymers prepared in air were found to be higher than those prepared in nitrogen. Addition of methanol resulted in lowering the number average molecular weights; this may be attributed to transfer reaction by methanol. The average molecular weights were found to decrease with increase of initiator concentration from 0.05 mol/l to 0.20 mol/l.