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University of Missouri--Rolla

Ultrasonically initiated free radical catalyzed emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>"The emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated by ultrasound has been studied at ambient temperature using sodium lauryl sulfate as the surfactant.</p> <p>The source of the free radical for the initiation process was found to come from the degradation of the sodium lauryl sulfate presumably in aqueous phase. The weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the poly (methyl methacrylate) obtained varied from 2,500,000 to 3,500,000 g mole<sup>-1</sup> and the conversion for the polymerization was up to 70%.</p> <p>The polymerization rate, the number of polymer particles generated and the free radical concentration in initiation process were found to increase with acoustic intensity, argon gas flow, surfactant concentration.</p> <p>The polymer weight average molecular weight was found to increase with acoustic intensity and argon gas flow rate. It was found to decrease with increasing surfactant concentration. The polymerization rates obtained at ambient temperature were found be similar to or higher than those obtained from the conventional higher temperature thermal emulsion polymerization. Deviations from the Smith-Ewart kinetics were observed"--Abstract, p. iv</p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Ph. D. in Chemistry
Grantor
University of Missouri--Rolla
Year dc:date.available
2016

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Chou, H. C. Joe

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:scholarsmine.mst.edu:doctoral_dissertations-2162

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Missouri University of Science and Technology
Base URL
scholarsmine.mst.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
related terms
citation

Chou, H. C. Joe. Ultrasonically initiated free radical catalyzed emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate. University of Missouri--Rolla, 2016. https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/doctoral_dissertations/1160