Suspension polymerization of methyl methacrylate stabilized solely by palygorskite nano fibers.

A kind of fibrous clay, palygorskite (PAL), was used as the sole stabilizer in suspension polymerization without the using of any other stabilizer usually used, especially polymeric stabilizers. In order to improve the compatibility with the organic monomer, PAL nano fibers were organically modified with silane coupling agent methacryloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (MPS). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy results show that the hydrolyzed MPS was attached onto PAL surface through Si-O-Si bonds formation without morphology change of PAL. At a loading amount of PAL to monomer as low as 0.36 wt%, effective stabilization could be achieved. After suspension polymerization, spherical poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) particles were obtained. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis on both the outer surface and the inner cracked surface of the spherical PMMA particles indicates that the PAL particles reside on the surface of the PMMA spheres. The densely stacked PAL together with attached silane coupling agent stabilized the droplets throughout the suspension polymerization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]