Dye-sensitized photopolymerization: IV. Photopolymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated by erythrosin-ascorbic acid system in aqueous solution

The kinetics of the photopolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) sensitized by an erythrosin-ascorbic acid system in aqueous solution have been studied systematically. The system was irradiated with light of 440 nm wavelength. The induction period before the onset of polymerization was kept to a minimum by suitable experimental conditions. The systems were buffered with phosphate buffer, and the effects of monomer, dye, temperature, etc., on the reaction systems were investigated. The polymerization was followed by the measurement of monomer disappearance (gravimetrically) and the chain length of the polymer formed (viscometrically). The tentative kinetic scheme proposed is examined in the light of the experimental results. The specific rate constants for the various steps have been evaluated.