Polymerization of Methyl Methacrylate Initiated by Cerium (IV) Ion in the Presence of Hydroxyapatite

Abstract

Polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) initiated by Ce (IV) ion was studied in the presence of hydroxyapatite (HAP) and H₂SO₄ in aqueous solution at 30°C. The rate of polymerization (R_p) was proportional to [Ce(IV)]^1.91. The effect of H₂SO₄ was also studied in the concentration range from 0 to 7.65×10^-3mol/l.The maximum conversion of MMA was given around at 3.6×10^-3mol/l of H₂SO₄. The degree of polymerization of the free homopolymer (PMMA) was 4000-8000 and the efficiency of grafting of PMMA onto HAP was 19-25%.