TEMPLATE POLYMERIZATION OF METHACRYLIC-ACID ALONG POLY(N-ACETYLIMINOETHYLENE) IN WATER - INFLUENCE OF TEMPLATE ARCHITECTURE

The kinetic study of the photochemical polymerization of methacrylic a cid (MAA) in aqueous dilute solution in the presence of poly(N-acetyli minoethylene) (PNAI) oligomers evidenced template features. The proces s proceeded in two stages, depending on [PNAI]/[MAA](0) ratio and poly merization duration, two different complexes being formed, both by a ' 'zip'' chain-growth mechanism. Computing and transmission electron mic roscopy data revealed that this aspect is due to the replacing of the initial PNAI template by the newly formed poly(methacrylic acid) daugh ter polymer, as a result of the structural peculiarities of the latter as a component of the primary complex. Its specific mode of packing i n a complex aggregate was considered to be the main reason for the rep orted behavior. (C) 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.