Effects of reaction conditions on poly(methyl methacrylate) polymerized byliving radical polymerization with iniferter

Living radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) through the use of benzyl diethyl dithiocarbamate (BDC) was studied. The aim was to investi gate the role of the concentration, BDC-to-MMA mol ratio, and reaction time upon the molecular weight, polydispersity, and conversion of the product. It was found that the molecular weight and the conversion increase with inc rease of the concentration at the expense of low polydispersity. The reacti on time also played a significant role, especially at a relatively long rea ction time where molecular weight, polydispersity, and conversion increased with increasing reaction time. In terms of the mol ratio effect, it was fo und that there was a critical mol ratio for maximum conversion. The results indicate that the kinetics of polymerization of MMA through the use of a B DC inifeter is different from that in the presence of a conventional initia tor. (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.