Methods for preparing branched poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) at room temperature by inverse emulsion polymerization

Abstract

The present disclosure may generally relate to the field of polymer synthesis and provide a method for preparing branched poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) at room temperature by inverse emulsion polymerization. The method may include: using benzoyl peroxide as an oxidant, and 2-methyl-N-[3-(methyl-phenyl-amino)-propyl]-acrylamide as a reductant monomer to form a redox initiation system, water, and toluene as media, a nonionic surfactant as an emulsifier, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate as a monomer, reacting at room temperature and normal pressure to obtain branched poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate). In the present disclosure, the polymerization system may be simple and stable, and the synthesis and purification of the reductant monomer may be simple, greatly reducing the polymerization cost. The reaction may not need temperature control and pressure control, with low energy consumption, easy operation, and less impact on the environment. The obtained branched poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) may have a high molecular weight. The molecular weight and a branching degree may be adjusted in a wide range. The method may be of great significance to the theoretical research and large-scale application of branched poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate).