Polymerization mechanisms and molecular weight distributions. III. Gamma-radiation-initiated polymerization of methyl methacrylate

Journal Article · Sat Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1980 · J. Appl. Polym. Sci.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/app.1980.070250311· OSTI ID:5486655

Braks, J G; Mayer, G; Huang, R Y.M.

The termination mechanism in gamma-radiation-initiated polymerization of methyl methacrylate was investigated. The termination mechanism and the associated rate constants were determined by comparing the theoretical molecular weight distribution (MWD) and the experimental MWD, which was determined by gel permeation chromatography. Disproportionation occurs 1.2 times as frequently as combination at 30/sup 0/C and 0.5 times as frequently at 0/sup 0/C. The activation energy for disproportionation is 5.5 kcal/mole greater than that for combination. The rates of initiation were determined by a new method and were found to compare well with those reported in the literature. It is also suggested that it is necessary for the theoretical MWD to have the same shape as the experimental MWD before a mechanism can be authenticated.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Waterloo, Ontario
• OSTI ID: 5486655
• Journal Information: J. Appl. Polym. Sci.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Appl. Polym. Sci.; (United States) Vol. 25:3; ISSN JAPNA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY
400600* -- Radiation Chemistry
CARBOXYLIC ACID ESTERS
CHEMICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISTRY
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ESTERS
GAMMA RADIATION
IONIZING RADIATIONS
KINETICS
METHACRYLIC ACID ESTERS
METHYL METHACRYLATE
MOLECULAR WEIGHT
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
POLYMERIZATION
RADIATION CHEMISTRY
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS