EPR-SPIN PROBE STUDIES OF MODEL POLYMERS - SEPARATION OF COVALENT CROSS-LINKING EFFECTS FROM HYDROGEN-BONDING EFFECTS IN SWELLED ARGONNE PREMIUM COAL SAMPLES

The swelling behavior of 2-12% cross-linked polystyrene-divinylbenzene (PSDVB) copolymers was examined by an EPR-spin probe technique. It wa s observed that the mechanism of spin probe inclusion was the intercal ation into the matrix rather than diffusion into the pores. The disrup tion of van der Waals forces between adjacent aromatic rings appeared to be the primary mechanism for pyridine swelling of PSDVB. By compari ng the data to results from coal swelling studies it was also inferred that the extent of hydrogen bonding in coal will have a much greater impact on its swelling properties than its covalently cross-linked cha racter.