Synthesis and Characterization of a Novel Mid-Chain Macrophotoinitiator of Poly(methyl methacrylate) by Ce(IV)/HNO sub(3) Redox System

Dihydroxy functional photoinitiator namely, 2-hydroxy-1-[4-(2-hydroxyethoxy)phenyl]-2-methyl propan-1-one (HE-HMPP), Irgacure 2959, has been used as reducing agent in redox initiated free-radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) in conjunction with cerium(IV) ammonium nitrate in aqueous nitric acid at 40 degree C to obtain a novel mid-chain macrophotoinitiator of poly(MMA). The effects of Ce(IV), HE-HMPP, and MMA concentrations on the polymerization rate were investigated. The IR, H NMR, UV, photodegradation, and fluorescence spectroscopic studies revealed that poly(methyl methacrylate) with desired photoinitiator functionality in the polymer chain was obtained. This prepolymer was used in photoinduced free radical polymerization of acrylamide (AAm) and acrylonitrile (AN) to produce block copolymer.