Revisited Kinetic Chain Length and Reactivity Ratio Approaches for Linear Polymers and Copolymers

ABSTRACT

Two revisited mathematical kinetic relationships were derived, evaluated and applied on linear polymers such as polystyrene and copolymers such as (NIPAAm-alt-HEMA) and (MAAm-alt-HEMA) copolymers respectively. The validity of these equations was successfully verified. The first relationship, equation 12, interrelates exponentially kinetic chain length, average molecular weight and degree of polymerization of linear polymers with different temperatures. Furthermore; equation 12 could novelly define the rate of polymerization (Rp) and consequently the overall activation energy (􀀂E) of the polymerization process could be determined. The second derived relationship interrelates the reactivity ratio product (r1r2) of two monomers interacting with each other, with different temperature. Application of equation 16 could determine the behavioral sequence of monomer 1 toward monomer 2 in the copolymerization process. The value of (E12+E21)􀀁(E11+E22) could result with the determination of type of copolymers formed. The reactivity ratio values for (NIPAAm-alt-HEMA) and (MAAm-alt-HEMA) copolymers were determined using Kelen-Tudos technique.

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