CdS Nanorods as Photoinitiator for Homo/Copolymerization ofMethylmethacrylate and Ethylmethacrylate in Presence of β-cyclodextrin

CdS nanorods were synthesized using triethylenetetramine (TETA) as the template and coordinationagent. Their application in the photopolymerizations of methyl methacrylate (MMA), ethylmethacrylate (EMA), and the photocopolymerization of EMA/MMA under UV light at 400 nm withβ-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and sodium dodecyl sulfate surfactant for synthesizing nanocomposites wasstudied. The photoinitiator complexation with β-CD forms a water-soluble host/guest complex,enhancing initiation efficiency. Sodium dodecyl sulfate surfactant aids solubility in aqueous ethanol.Various synthesis conditions such as initiator concentration, monomer concentration, preoxygenationduration, light wavelength, and β-CD concentration were investigated for PMMA/CdSnanocomposite synthesis. The highest conversions (74%, 76%, and 80%) were achieved for MMA,EMA, and EMA/MMA, respectively. The recyclability of CdS nanorods was confirmed with MMApolymerization, maintaining catalytic activity over four runs. Thermal analysis showed that CdSnanorods remained in the products and significantly improved thermal stability.

CdS Nanorods as Photoinitiator for Homo/Copolymerization ofMethylmethacrylate and Ethylmethacrylate in Presence of β-cyclodextrin Keywords:

Poly(methyl methacrylate) , Poly(ethyl methacrylate) , CdS nanorods , nanocomposite , β-cyclodextrin.