Photopolymerization of methyl methacrylate with the use of bromine as photoinitiator

Abstract

Abstract Low concentrations of bromine (0.008–0.06 M ) were used to initiate photopolymerization of MMA in bulk and in diluted (near bulk) systems, the diluents or solvents used being benzene, toluene, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, methylene chloride, and methanol. Polymerization in bulk follows usual free‐radical kinetics. Inert solvents (benzene, toluene) as well as the other solvents used enhance the rate of polymerization MMA even when used in the range of catalytic concentrations (0.04–0.4 M ). An initiation mechanism involving solvent molecules appears to be predominant in diluted systems.