KINETICS OF ENERGY-SAVING PROCESSES FOR OBTAINING (CO)POLYMERS OF 2-HYDROXYETHYL METHACRYLATE

Experimental data have been analyzed and correlated in a study of the kinetics of (co)polymerization reactions of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylat e in aqueous solution, with an initiator system consisting of ammonium persulfate and ascorbic acid. The component concentrations and ratios , the temperature, and the presence of atmospheric oxygen have been ex amined in terms of their influence on the reaction rate and the molecu lar weight of the polymers. Relative activity constants of the monomer s have been calculated in reactions of copolymerization of 2-hydroxyet hyl methacrylate with acrylic, methacrylic, and maleic acids and with acrylamide. Conditions have been defined for the preparation of solubl e and swellable polymers based on 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate.