Vinyl polymerization

Abstract

1:1 Poly (styrene-co-ethylmethacrylate) (PSEM) was prepared by bulk polymerization and fractionated using methylethyl ketone/petroleum ether system. IR and NMR analyses of the copolymer substantiated the composition kinetically expected. As the composition heterogeneity of the compolymer was narrow, the characterization of the copolymer was effected in a single solvent by light scattering as well as viscosity measurements at 35° C. The molecular weight dependence of [η], the limiting viscosity number;$\left( {\bar r^2 } \right)w^{_2^1 }$, therms end to end distance and A₂ the second virial coefficient were established. The solvent ethylacetate was found to be thermodynamically more ideal for PSEM, than for polyethylmethacrylate. In an attempt to evaluate K, the Flory’s constant, application of various methods appeared to give almost similar values. In order to explain the low value ofΦ, the Flory’s universal parameter, rough estimates of$\left( {\bar r_0 ^2 } \right)^{_2^1 }$, the unperturbedrms end to end distance;b, the statistical chain element;q, the persistence length and${{\bar r_0 ^2 } \mathord{\left/ {\vphantom {{\bar r_0 ^2 } {l\bar r_{\max .} }}} \right. \kern-\nulldelimiterspace} {l\bar r_{\max .} }}$, the semiflexibility parameter were also made.