Gamma radiation induced polymerization of vinyl monomers in dense CO2

Abstract The dispersion polymerization of methyl methacrylate in dense carbon dioxide, initiated by γ-rays, utilizing different polysiloxanes as polymeric stabilizers, was investigated. The progress of the reaction, as a function of the irradiation dose, was also studied and the occurrence of a gel effect has been detected. For comparison, the dispersion polymerization has been carried out in supercritical conditions ( T =65°C and 38 MPa) in the presence of 2,2′-azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN) as initiator. High molecular weight polymer (M w > 1000 kg/mol) with narrow molecular weight distribution has been obtained both with γ-rays and AIBN. The electron scanning micrographs show that regul…