Abstract

Photo polymeruization of Methyl Methacrylate (MMA) by host-guest complexation with β-cyclodextrin was investigated in homogeneous aqueous medium. Vinyl monomers like MMA, Styrene etc. become water soluble due to complexation with β-CD and can easily be polymerized in aqueous solution in the presence of free radical initiator. Polymerization was also carried out with uncomplexed monomer and in presence of organic solvent. A systematic study of the kinetics of photosensitized polymerization of MMA with dye (acriflavin) , reducing agent(ascorbic acid) under buffered condition (Na2HPO4 – citric acid) in presence of β-CD in aqueous solution has been made against the different variables like concentration of monomer, dye, ascorbic acid, time and temperature. Presence of β-CD showed obviously effects on the polymerization, so as to increase the rate of polymerization and percentage conversion of monomer, increase of molecular weight of polymer. The mechanism of polymerization and kinetic scheme proposed was examined in the light of the experimental results. Thermal degradation pattern of the polymer sample was studied by thermo gravimetric analysis.