Abstract:

Composite latex particles of hydro-rosin and poly (methyl methacrylate) PMMA were synthesized by miniemulsion polymerization. The influence of introduction of hydro-rosin on polymerization was studied by monitoring the evolution of monomer conversion and particle size. The particle morphology was characterized by transmission electron microscopy. The molecular weight,molecular weight distribution and the glass transition temperature of the resulted composite polymers were analyzed by gel permeation chromatography and differential scanning calorimetry. It was found that the diameter of the droplet and the polymer particles was almost the same before and after polymerization. The introduction of hydro-rosin reduced both the molecular weight and glass transition temperature of PMMA,which was highly accorded with the prediction from polymer theories.

Key words: miniemulsion polymerization, rosin, acrylate, hybrid polymer