The College of Engineering

Department of Petrochemicals
Module: polymer

Title: Suspension
polymerization
A Module Tutor: Ms. Shermin & Mr. Abdullaziz

Date: 4/11/2020

The Student: Safwan Kamal Askender

1
Calculation:

15ml of methyl methacrylate

15ml of D.W
200mg of Benzoyl peroxide
𝒘𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕
Density of monomer=
𝒗𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒎𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒓
Density of methyl methacrylate = 940Kg/m3
Volume of monomer = 15ml 1.5× 𝟏𝟎−𝟓 m3
𝒘𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕
940Kg/m3=
𝟏.𝟓×𝟏𝟎−𝟓𝒎𝟑
Weight of reactant= 0.0141
Yield= × 𝟏𝟎𝟎%
𝒘𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒕
Yield=𝟎.𝟎𝟏𝟒𝟏 × 100%

2
Discussion:
Suspension polymerization is the process used to produced polymer from
monomer which is methyl methacrylate, initiator is a benzoyl peroxide and water
the initiator was insoluble in monomer and the monomer and initiator don’t
soluble in water so we have a heterogeneous we need strong agitation to be
droplet in water, suspension polymerization is the same bulk polymerization and
the polymerization rate and degree are high. After mixing and heat process our
sample was convert to solid that because our teacher increase Temperature to 93
Celsius our solvent (water) change to vapor and the sample become solid

Q1/What kind of initiators is used in the process of suspension polymerization?

The initiators employed for suspension polymerization are mostly peroxides, and in
some cases, azo compounds (AIBN). Typical initiators are benzoyl, t-butyl, diacetyl
and lauroyl peroxide.
Q2/ why suspension polymer is important?
The main advantages of suspension polymerization over emulsion systems are that
no surfactants, which are difficult to remove from the product, are used, and no
ionic end groups are present, which may be unstable during processing at high
temperatures.

Q3/What is the role of benzoyl peroxide in polymerization of methyl methacrylate?

Methyl Methacrylate Polymer the clear, colorless plastic Lucite or Plexiglas is made
by polymerization of the vinyl ester methyl methacrylate: In this
experiment, benzoyl peroxide will be used to initiate a free radical
chain polymerization of the monomer, similar to the polystyrene synthesis.

Q4/What is the size of the monomer droplets in suspension polymerization?

In suspension polymerization, monomer droplets (50–150 μm in diameter)

containing initiator are suspended in water.
Polymerization occurs within the droplets preventing excessive heat buildup from
the exothermic reaction.

3
Q5/Why benzoyl peroxide is used as an initiator for chain growth polymerization?

The by far most important organic peroxide initiator is benzoyl peroxide (BPO). ...
The two fragments with unpaired electrons are called free radical initiators.
Following its generation, the initiating free radicals react with a monomer unit
thereby creating growing polymer chains

Q6/what is the difference between an initiator and a catalyst?

Initiators trigger chemical reactions. ... Reaction accelerators are catalysts which
quicken the progress of a chemical reaction.