Suspension Polymerization Of Methyl Methacrylate

Introduction:
Suspension polymerization, sometimes called bead, pearl or granular polymerization, is one of
the most widely used polymerization techniques. It is essentially a water or solvent cooled bulk
polymerization, though water/solvent soluble initiators may be present that could alter the
reaction kinetic.
Practically all common thermoplastic polymers can be made by this method. This includes all
high volume resins such as methyl methacrylate, vinyl chloride, vinyl acetate, styrene and some
gaseous monomers such as ethylene, propylene and formaldehyde.

Principle Mechanism:
 The monomer which is the basics for polymerization process is first dispersed in the
form of small droplets.
 The size of droplets is in the limits of 10-1000pm (picometer).
 Where there is dispersion taking place, there should be a medium where it can occur.
 That medium should be such that where monomer droplets remain insoluble.
 To carry out the dispersion, two basic things are required
1. Controlled Agitation
2. Aid of dispersing Agent
 Dispersing agent is a water soluble polymer which is added to monomer phase so that it
could be dispersed such as Polyvinyl Alcohol
 Dispersion avoids the aggregation of partially polymerized monomer particles at the
sticky stage.
 Size of polymer that is being formed is controlled by the following factors:
1. Rate of agitation provided.
2. Amount of Dispersing agent added.
3. Nature of Dispersing agent added.
 Chemicals:
1. Methyl methacrylate MMA (Monomer)
2. Benzoyl Peroxide BPO (Initiator)
3. Cetyl Dimethyl Benzyl Ammonium Chloride CDBAC (emulsifier)
4. Polyvinyl Alcohol PVA (Dispersing Agent)
5. Water H2O (Dispersing Medium)

Apparatus:
1. 250 ml three necked round bottom flask
2. Constant temperature bath
3. Nitrogen Gas Cylinder
4. Stirrer
5. Water-Cooled Condenser
6. Thermometer

Procedure
1. Monomer and initiator are dissolved together in a 250ml round bottom flask. The 5 g
of benzoyl peroxide BPO as monomer was added to 10 ml of Methyl methacrylate
are dissolved.
2. Dispersing medium is provided by water, so 40 ml of water was added to the same
round bottom three necked flask.
3. Cetyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride acts as emulsifier so 2.5 g were added in
the same flask.
4. Polyvinyle Alcohol PVA is necessary for dispersion so acts as dispersing agent. Here
it was added in amount of 5 gram.
5. I placed the flask with all the contents in nitrogen gas cylinder where it was flushed
with nitrogen gas.
6. I placed the flask in the constant temperature bath after removing it from nitrogen
cylinder. The temperature maintained over here was 75oC.
7. A magnetic stirrer was added in the flask and then flask was set for agitation.
8. The size of droplets was adjusted by the speed of stirrer.
9. The experiment was continued for 3 hours. Hence beads of PMMA started to form in
spherical forms and started to settle down at the bottom.
10. I filtered the beads out and washed them with warm water many times to make them
free of emulsifier.
11. I then dried the crystals in oven and submitted the crystals in polymer
Characterization lab for TGA and intrinsic viscosity testing.

Result and Discussion:

 The crystal formed that were white and opaque in appearance. The substance formed
from polymerization was Polymethyl methacrylate.
 The substance was given for Thermogravimetric analysis test that shows the influence of
five organic photoinitiators on thermal stability of PMMA.
 The intrinsic viscosity of PMMA was also found using the test.
 The rate of stirring controlled the size of beads formed.

Precautions:
 Use vinyl gloves.
 Wear the lab coat.
 Wear closed shoes.
 Use the apparatus carefully.
 Handle with chemicals with great care.