Microheterogeneous polymer systems prepared by suspension polymerization of methyl methacrylate in the presence of poly(epsilon-caprolactone)

Full Paper: Poly(methyl methacrylate) - polycaprolactone (PMMA/PCL) microhe terogeneous beads were synthesized by suspension polymerization starting fr om methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomer and PCL, which was synthesized by ring -opening polymerization of epsilon -caprolactone using ZnCl2 as initiator. The resulting polymer was fully characterized by H-1 and C-13 NMR different ial scanning calorimetry (DSC), gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and dyn amic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). The size distribution and morpholo gy of the resulting beads were investigated by optical microscopy and scann ing electron microscopy (SEM). Moreover, blends of PRIMA beads and PCL in d ifferent proportions were prepared and the morphology of the films was exam ined by optical microscopy. The low compatibility between PMMA and PCL was clearly evidenced through these experiments.