Synthesis of Poly(methylmethacrylate-cobutylacrylate) Nanocompounds and Silver Nanoparticles Using Sustainable Method

Abstract

Nanocomposites of poly(methylmethacrylate-cobutylacrylate) P(MMA-co-BuA) and silver nanoparticles (NPsAg) synthesized with extracts of O. ficus-indica (OFI) and A. vera (AV) were obtained by using microwaves. The nanocomposites were synthesized by “in situ” emulsion polymerization, where different concentrations of NPsAg (0.05, 0.1, 0.5 and 1%) with respect to the polymer were studied. Films were formed from the latex, which were characterized by different techniques. Using UV-Vis, the characteristic absorbance of the surface plasmon resonance of the NPsAg in the nanocomposite was observed in the range of 415-436 nm. The thermal stability of the nanocomposites was carried out using TGA, where it was observed that the higher the concentration of NPsAg, the lower thethermal stability. The DSC results showed that the glass transition temperatures (Tg) for the nanocomposites with nanoparticles are between 8 and 12ºC. The percentage elongation of the nanocomposites was 400%, in addition, the Young’s modulus and the tensile strength of the same were determined, observing that the higher the content of NPsAg, the lower the elastic behavior and the mechanical resistance of the nanocomposites. Using SEM, it was confirmed that the NPsAg maintain a spherical morphology. Finally, using FTIR, the possible interaction between the PMMA-Co-BuA copolymer and the NPsAg was determined.