Copolymerization studies of radiation-induced polymerization at low temperature

✍ Scribed by Tsuda, Yoshizo

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1962
• Weight: 431 KB
• Volume: 58
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0022-3832
• DOI: 10.1002/pol.1962.1205816616

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Copolymerization of acrylonitrile with styrene or methyl methacrylate was performed by gamma‐irradiation at low temperatures in various solvents. Both an anionic copolymerization and a free‐radical reaction were observed to proceed simultaneously. However, when water, alcohol, or ester is present, the anionic polymerization is inhibited. On the other hand, when the content of styrene increases, the free‐radical polymerization is retarded. From results of the fractionation of styrene–acrylonitrile copolymer obtained it was concluded that an anion‐radical of acrylonitrile formed by irradiation at low temperatures initiates both an anionic and a free‐radical copolymerization. The resultant copolymer consists of a block of anionic copolymer attached to a block of free‐radical copolymer.