KINETIC ASPECTS OF THE EMULSION COPOLYMERIZATION OF ACRYLAMIDE WITH MALEIC-ACID

Using a polarographic method, we have investigated kinetic factors of the radical copolymerization of acrylamide with maleic acid at 50 degr ees C in concentrated aqueous solutions dispersed in a toluene solutio n of sorbital C-20 emulsifier in the presence of the water-soluble ini tiator potassium persulfate. An equation for the overall rate of copol ymerization has been established. From the kinetic data and dispersion analysis of the emulsion particles of the monomer mix and of the late x produced (using electron microscopy and laser light scatterings) it has been established that the system studied does not comply with the Smith and Ewart equation for emulsion polymerization. It has been show n that the intrinsic viscosity of solutions of the copolymers increase s with increase of the concentration of the mixture of acrylamide and maleic acid and with reduction of the concentration of initiator and e mulsifier.