Objectives

The objectives of this experiment is to undergo a research about polymerization of

MMA in water solutions of polyvinyl alcohol at different stirring speeds. At the same
time we are going to study the physical properties and measures the diameter of
PMMA beads formed.
Procedure

1. Controlling the diameter of PMMA beads and extend of polymerization.

a. 250ml of flat bottom Erlenmeyer was set up with a magnetic stirrer inside
it. The flask then was insulated with glass wool.
b. 120ml of water that contained polyvinyl alcohol was filled inside the flask at
room temperature.
c. On another flask of 50ml, 12ml of methyl methacrylate monomer was
placed. After that, 0.6g of benzoyl peroxide was added and stirred. The
solution then was poured into 250ml Erlenmeyer flask.
d. The temperature and the stirrer bar was adjusted according to the
temperature below.

e. The content of the flask was emptied into 200ml beaker. The flask the rinsed
with tap water to removed small residue.
f. The beads then was obtained through the process of filtration with Buchner
funnel under water aspirator which using vacuum with filter paper. The
beads then transferred through a weighing dish which placed on at 80°C for
30 minutes and then reweighed.
2. Estimating the bead diameter
a. Dial monomer was zeroed which then followed by placing a layer of beads
on the platform. The diameter then was measured according to the largest
under the microscope.
b. The sample then placed on the glass slide and the largest diameter was
measured.
 Discussion
From this experiment, we was following all the procedure correctly. This
includes the wearing appropriate attire during lab sessions, the wearing of gloves
when handling of chemicals and for safety of eyes, the wearing of safety goggles.
Each personal protective equipment have its own function in which can protect the
wearer. PPE such as lab coat can prevent any chemical spill which can affect the skin
when in contact. For information, each chemical have its own level of toxicity to human.
However, each level of toxicity have their own lifespan inside human body. This can
be explained when an acid are in contact with the skin, the lifespan of the acid is short.
Thus, it directly corrode the skin.
This experiment teach us about the accurate or precise measurement must be
exercise strictly as on small change in the readings can greatly affect the result. The
reason the above statement are said because we do not obtained any results from this
experiment. This is per say as failed. From this, there are a number of factor which
can determine the cause of failure. Such failed experiment may be due to the excess
amount of methyl methacrylate was added. In contrast to that, a series of
contamination must also be included into the account. Contamination is a serious
factor in the determination of the cause of failure in this experiment. The reason I’m
saying this is because the beaker that we used to hold the solution of methyl
methacrylate monomer and benzoyl peroxide contained a stained coloured in it. On
the side note, now we know how sensitive the chemicals are in which on little detail
can greatly affect the results.
The results that we obtained are far from the theoretical results which can be
seen on the
 Conclusion

As a conclusion, we cannot obtained the result of the experiment which

indicate that the experiment is fail. Thus, we cannot obtain the objectives of this
experiment which is to undergo a research about polymerization of MMA in water
solutions of polyvinyl alcohol at different stirring speeds. At the same time we are
going to study the physical properties and measures the diameter of PMMA beads
formed.
Questions
1. Structure of poly (methyl metacrylate) [PMMA]
2. There are a lot of factor that can be taken into account which can affect the size
of beads.
i. Viscosity of buffer. The viscosity has a direct effect on the speed of the
bead due to magnetic force
ii. Ionic force and pH buffer.
iii. Temperature.
iv. Magnetic content
3. The purpose of adding poly (vinyl alcohol)(PVA) in this experiment is to enhance
the grafting between monomers of acrylic and poly(vinyl alcohol)(PVA) at water
or droplet interface.
4. As the stirring rate increase, the size particle decrease.