Free radical copolymerization of β-Myrcene by suspension process

In this study, for the first time, synthesis of polymer microbeads from & beta;-myrcene (My) and 1,4-butanediol dimethacrylate (BDDMA) by suspension copolymerization is described. Free radical copolymerization of My and BDDMA has been either photo- or thermally initiated. In both systems influence of monomer composition has been investigated by varying the ratio of My between 10 and 90 vol% in the oil phase composition. My-BDDMA based microspheres have been synthesized successfully via both thermally initiated and photoinitiated suspension copolymerization process. Particle morphology, size and distribution of the microbeads has remarkably influenced by monomer composition and initiation step of the polymerization process. Photoinitiated copolymerization has resulted in a decrease in particle size and yielded quite narrow particle size distributions compared to thermally initiated copolymerization. The average molecular weight between cross-links (Mc), and cross-linking density (& nu;), calculated by using the Flory-Rehner Theory, has confirmed the significant influence of monomer composition and initiation step on the cross-linking.