ON DISPERSION COPOLYMERIZATION OF POLYOXYETHYLENE MACROMONOMER AND BUTYL ACRYLATE

The dispersion copolymerization of methacryloyl terminated polyoxyethy lene (PEG-MA) macromonomer and butyl acrylate (BA) initiated by an oil -soluble initiator 2,2'-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) was investigated at 60 degrees C. The rate of polymerization and the number of particl es were found to increase with increasing initiator concentration. The maximum rate of polymerization or the rate per particle was found to be proportional to the 0.7th or 0.36th power of [AIBN]. The molecular weight was found to be nearly independent of initiator concentration. The number of particles increases up to 50% conversion. The particle g rowth is suggested to proceed via association of particles and by prop agation within particles.