Study of polymerization kinetics of acrylic and methacrylic acid esters atlow conversions

The kinetics of high-energy radiation initiated polymerization of acrylate and methacrylate monomers were studied in dilute cyclohexane solutions. The absorption spectra of the intermediates were obtained by pulse radiolysis with optical detection. In solutions of acrylates at longer times after the pulse the presence of oligomer radicals was observed. In solutions of meth acrylates the beginning of the oligomerization reaction was detected at hig her monomer concentrations. From the kinetic curves the rate coefficients o f termination were calculated. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights re served.