Molecular weight distribution studies. I. Radiation-induced polymerization of liquid. cap alpha. -methylstyrene. [Gamma radiation]

Journal Article · Sun Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1975 · J. Polym. Sci., Polym. Chem. Ed.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/pol.1975.170130601· OSTI ID:7279866

Chawla, A S; Huang, R Y.M.

The concentration of water in purified and BaO-dried ..cap alpha..-methylstyrene was found to be 1.1 x 10/sup -4/M. The radiation-induced bulk polymerization of the ..cap alpha..-methylstyrene thus prepared was studied in the temperature range of -20/sup 0/ to 35/sup 0/C. The polymerization rate varied as the 0.55 power of the dose rate. The theoretical molecular weights and molecular weight distribution were calculated from a proposed kinetic scheme and these values were then compared with those found experimentally. The agreement between these two was reasonably close, and therefore it was concluded that, from the molecular weight distribution point of view, the proposed kinetic scheme for the cationic polmerization of ..cap alpha..-methylstyrene is an acceptable one. The rate constant for chain transfer to monomer k/sub f/ changed with temperature and was found to be responsible for the decrease in the molecular weight of the polymer with increase in temperature. k/sub f/ and k/sub p/ at 20/sup 0/C were found to be 0.95 x 10/sup 4/ l./mole-sec and 0.99 x 10/sup 6/ l./mole-sec, respectively.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Waterloo, Ont.
• OSTI ID: 7279866
• Journal Information: J. Polym. Sci., Polym. Chem. Ed.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Polym. Sci., Polym. Chem. Ed.; (United States) Vol. 13:6; ISSN JPLCA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

38 RADIATION CHEMISTRY, RADIOCHEMISTRY, AND NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY
400600* -- Radiation Chemistry
AROMATICS
CHEMICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
CHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CHEMISTRY
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
GAMMA RADIATION
IONIZING RADIATIONS
KINETICS
LOW TEMPERATURE
MEDIUM TEMPERATURE
MOLECULAR WEIGHT
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PETROCHEMICALS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
PLASTICS
POLYMERIZATION
POLYMERS
POLYOLEFINS
POLYSTYRENE
POLYVINYLS
RADIATION CHEMISTRY
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
REACTION KINETICS
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE