Effect of solvent on anthraquinone-sensitized photopolymerization of methyl methacrylate

Photopolymerization of methyl methacrylate was carried out in the system containing anthraquinone (AQ) sensitizer and solvent under nitrogen at 30°C. Hydrocarbons, alcohols, and mixtures of both, for example, cyclohexane and isopropanol, were used as solvents. The maimum yield of polymerization was observed at a certain concentration of alcohol in hydrocarbon, a phenomenon which is discussed from measurements of polymer molecular weight and the UV spectrum of irradiated AQ.