PMMA synthesis for applications in radiologic techniques

Abstract

This project goal is to synthesize PMMA polymeric films loaded with grains of MgB₄O₇:Ce,Li crystal. Regarding the steps involved, suspension polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA), the precursor monomer, was carried out and resulted in the PMMA polymeric microparticles (Figure 1). Suspension polymerization is simple, fast and of high conversion [4]. Besides, this polymerization process allows the addition of MgB₄O₇:Ce,Li that will be present in the final PMMA polymeric film. The obtained polymeric films will be characterized by Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) for determining Tg – transition glass temperature – value; Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) under nitrogen atmosphere to investigate thermal transitions; Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) for molar masses determination; Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) for the chemical characterization. During this project, polymeric films will be produced with different thicknesses and different percentages and grain sizes of MgB₄O₇:Ce,Li. Natural boron will be used in this crystal synthesis.