Ultrasound assisted synthesis and characterization of poly(methyl methacrylate)/CaCO3 nanocomposites

Abstract

The combined effects of sonochemical and conventional chemical initiation on the emulsion polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and MMA-CaCO3 systems have been studied. Combining ultrasound (US) and conventional initiation by potassium persulfate (KPS) for the MMA and MMA-CaCO3 systems, helped increase the final conversion. An increase of 15% for the MMA only system (from 72% to 87%) and of 10% for the MMA-CaCO3 system (from 76% to 86%) was observed as compared to initiation by KPS alone. Also, an increase of 18% (from 69% to 87%) and 20% (from 66% to 86%) for the MMA only and MMA-CaCO3 systems, respectively was observed for the combined initiation as compared to initiation by US alone..