The impact of monomer loading on poly(methyl methacrylate) nano emulsion as pour point depressant

The application of pour point depressant(PPD) nano-emulsion has gain extensive attention due to their cold-flow ability and improved performances compared to conventional PPD. The aim of this research was to study the impact on monomer loading in making polymethyl methacrylate PPD emulsion in order to achieve nano sized emulsion using emulsion polymerization method. The PPD nano-emulsion was characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy(SEM), Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) and particle size. The performance of the PPD was evaluated by measuring the pour point performance by ASTM standard. Evolution of the weight average molecular weight, particle size and distribution were significantly affected by the manipulation of monomer loading. The PPD nano emulsion showed highest average molecular weight at monomer loading of 20%. It was found that the monomer loading increased, PPD emulsion particle size increased. The performance showed increment trends confirming that monomer loading is the principal factor that contributes to the increment of emulsion PPD pour point performance.