Photopolymerization of methylmethacrylate: an inexpensive, open-source approach for the undergraduate lab
Date
2015-04Author
Holzman, Noah J.
Publisher
University of Wisconsin--Stout. Research Services
Advisor(s)
Ray, Matthew
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Light-cured polymer resins are plastics that harden after exposure to
UV or visible light. The market for UV resins is expanding due to their environmental
and economic benefits over conventional polymers. Using light
to cure the resin allows the raw monomer to be formulated and delivered to
a substrate with little to no solvents or volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Traditional industrial production of photocure products utilizes mercury
vapor lamps that require a constant flow of water to prevent the light source
from overheating. This research details an apparatus fabricated with opensource
electronics to cure and control the polymerization process. The
solid-state LED source is compact, inexpensive, customizable, and provides
high-intensity (250mW/cm2 per LED) irradiation that is easily directed.
These features make it readily deployable in an undergraduate or research
setting for small-scale experimental use. Proof of concept is demonstrated
through a photoinitiator system formulated with Michler’s ketone (4,4’-bis(dimethylaminobenzophenone)
and benzophenone to achieve 97% conversion
of methyl methacrylate into a high molecular weight resin. The effect of other
photosensitizers and hydrogen donors on cure speed, molecular weight,
yellowing and monomer conversion are reported for similar resins.
Subject
polymer resins
methylmethacrylate
Permanent Link
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/77534Description
Research article with illustrations and graphs.
Citation
Holzman, N. J. (2015). Photopolymerization of methylmethacrylate: an inexpensive, open-source approach for the undergraduate lab. University of Wisconsin-Stout Journal of Student Research, 14, 152-164.