Effect of Ferocene Concentration on the Percent Conversion and Molecular Weight of Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Homopolymers

• Main Author: Baghdad Science Journal
• Format: Article
• Language: Arabic
• Published: College of Science for Women, University of Baghdad 2017-06-01
• Series: Baghdad Science Journal
• Subjects: ferrocene, radical polymerization, poly(methyl methacrylate).
• Online Access: http://bsj.uobaghdad.edu.iq/index.php/BSJ/article/view/2366

This research is addressing the effect of different ferrocene concentration (0.00, 2.15x10-3, 4.30x10-3, 8.60x10-3, and 12.9x10-3) on the bulk free radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate monomer in benzene using benzoyl peroxide as initiator. The polymerization was conducted at 60º C under free oxygen atmosphere. The resulting polymers were characterized by FTIR. The results were compared with the presence and absence of ferrocene at 10% conversion. The %conversion was 3.04% with no ferrocene present in the polymerization medium and its increase to 9.06 with a first lowest ferrocene concentration added, i.e. 2.15 x10-3mol/l. This was positively reflected on the poly(methyl methacrylate) molecular weight measured by viscosity technique, especially in the presence of ferrocene.