ELECTROINITIATED POLYMERIZATION OF STYRENE: II. KINETICS IN SOLUTIONS OF TETRAMETHYLAMMONIUM SALTS

Abstract

The kinetics were studied of the electrically initiated polymerization of styrene in solutions of tetramethylammonium salts. The reaction was confined to the cathode and was found to proceed via an anionic mechanism. Free radical inhibitors had little influence on the yield of polymer, but the reaction was quenched by the addition of methanol.The polymerization was investigated at six currents between 10 and 100 mA and at eight initial concentrations of monomer. Kinetic analysis of the data indicated a dependence on the first power of monomer concentration and of current.The high electrical efficiencies and molecular weights of 15 000 to 50 000 contrast sharply with previous fruitless attempts to electroinitiate styrene polymerization. Some features of the mechanism are discussed.