Metal free, white LED induced, room temperature degradation of methyl methacrylate - Methyl haloacrylate copolymers

Poly(methyl methacrylate) is a well-established and widely used commodity plastic. Since it only contains non-reactive CC bonds through the main chain, depolymerization and degradation conditions can be severe. As we are moving towards a self-sustainable world, requirements for new, green, and eco-friendly degradation methods emerge. Herein we utilize the efficient nature of light in the field of degradation and report a white LED-induced and metal-free method for the degradation of PMMA derivatives containing halogens at the main chain. As organodyes, erythrosin B, eosin Y and 10-phenylphenothiazine were employed and overall effects on degradation were examined and reported. The physical properties of synthesized copolymers and the kinetics of the method were investigated by DSC, TGA, 1H NMR and GPC analyses. Degradations up to 80% were observed at ambient temperature.