Toward green polymerization in the presence of copper nanowires: emulsion and suspension polymerization

Abstract This study aimed to synthesize and conduct a preliminary characterization of particles produced through the emulsion and suspension polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) in the presence of copper nanowires (CuNWs). These polymerization techniques offer insights into green polymerization methods. The resulting polymeric particles from both emulsion and suspension processes were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The particles synthesized via emulsion polymerization measured approximately 605 nm in size, and the emulsion exhibited stability, while the particles resulting from the suspension polymerization process were around 956 nm. GPC analysis indicated that polymerization in a heterogeneous medium maintained a controlled nature in the presence of CuNWs, as evidenced by the polydispersity index and the chain-extension reaction. The structure of PMMA was examined using FTIR and 1 H-NMR analyses, which validated the proposed structure.