THERMALLY INITIATED FRONTAL POLYMERIZATION OF TRANSITION-METAL NITRATE ACRYLAMIDE COMPLEXES

The effect of the thermally initiated frontal polymerization of acryla mide complexes of transition metal nitrates such as those of Mn (II), Co (II), Ni (II), and Zn (II) was disclosed. The rate of the polymeriz ation front propagation was found to be 2-9 X 10(-2) cm/c, depending a ppreciably on sample diameter and density, as well as the presence of radical inhibitor additives. The rate was found to decrease in the ser ies: Co (II) > Ni (II) > Mn (II) > Zn (II). Polymerization was shown t o occur directly in the melting region of a complex at 80-100-degrees- C to give three-dimensional polymers. A mechanism of the polymerizatio n being initiated with the products of the partial nitrate group decom position was proposed. (C) 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.