Polymer synthesis and characterization Lab. Alarqam.tareq@uoz.edu.

krd

Experiment (3)

Suspension polymerization of methyl

methacrylate
Goal

To produce a suspension polymer from vinyl monomer by chain growth

polymerization (free radical).

Theory
Suspension polymerization
This is one of procedure used to induce radical polymerization with a vinyl
group monomer. A polymerization process in which a insoluble monomer is
dispersed and suspended by continuous strong agitation in a liquid phase, usually
water. In addition, the polymerization in which soluble initiator (for example:
benzoyl peroxide or azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN)) is added in the monomer.
Poly addition reaction such as polyurethane may also performed in a
suspended form. Polymerization advances in the droplet of a monomer and particle
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Polymer synthesis and characterization Lab. Alarqam.tareq@uoz.edu.krd

polymer is obtained. Spherical particles are obtained by performing suspension

polymerization with the use of vinyl acetate, styrene and methyl methacrylate etc.
as a monomer; in this case, it is called pearl polymerization. Polymerization within
droplet is essentially the same as bulk polymerization, and polymerization rate and
degree are high. In suspension polymerization, if polymerization advances,
monomer droplet will serve as thick solution of the polymer which uses a
monomer as a solvent, and droplets will stick easily. Therefore, it needs to perform
by constant strong agitation and add water soluble polymer such as gelatin, starch,
polyvinyl alcohol and carboxymethylcellulose, and insoluble powder such as
calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate to stabilize droplets.
Generated polymer particle size also changes with agitating speed. As the
heat released during the polymerization is absorbed by the surrounding solvent,
selective heating does not happen and it is easy to adjust temperature. Suspension
polymerization most commonly used as industrial manufacturing method in order
to get polymer for forming material such as polystyrene, poly methyl-methacrylate,
polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride, because a polymer with a high degree
polymerization is obtained with the polymerization and generated polymer
isolation is easy.

Apparatus:
1) Balance
2) Round bottom flask (50ml)
3) Beaker
4) Watch glass
5) Condenser
6) Heater and magnetic stirrer

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Polymer synthesis and characterization Lab. Alarqam.tareq@uoz.edu.krd

7) Water bath, thermometer

Reagent & material:
1) Methyl methacrylate (monomer)
2) Benzoyl peroxide (initiator)
3) Ethanol
4) Distilled water (D.W.)

Procedure:
1) (15ml) of Methyl methacrylate (monomer) and (15ml) of distilled water
(D.W.) are placed in round bottom flask with (20mg) benzoyl peroxide as an
initiator.
2) Place the round bottom flask in water bath, which is placed on heater with
magnetic stirrer. Connect the round with a condenser and heat it at (80-90)
°C (where the benzoyl peroxide dissociated to free radical formation) for
(30-45) min.
3) Put it on the rack for (5min) at room temperature.
4) (10-20ml) of ethanol is added gradually
with shaking until the polymer is
precipitated. The poly styrene is collected
and transferred to watch glass to dry then be
weighted.
5) Calculate the percentage of the polymer
formed.

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