Synthesis of acryl phosphate antistatic agent and its effect on the antistatic, thermal and mechanical properties of PMMA

A simple and economic antistatic agent, (2-methacryloyloxyethyl)acid phosphate (acryl phosphate), was synthesized via the reaction of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate with phosphorus pentoxide. The acryl phosphate anti-static agent, synthesized in this study, was introduced into poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) resin via copolymerization with MMA. This antistatic agent provides the PMMA matrix with excellent antistatic properties, including surface resistance and electric charge. A comparison of the present antistatic agent with other commercial agents demonstrated the excellence of not only its electrical, but also its thermal and mechanical properties.