KINETIC-STUDY OF HIGH-CONVERSION COPOLYMERIZATION OF BUTYL ACRYLATE WITH METHYL-METHACRYLATE IN SOLUTION

Butyl acrylate( BA) and methyl methacrylate(MMA) have been copolymeriz ed in a 3 mol/L benzene solution using 2,2'-azobis (isobutyronitrile) (AIBN) as initiator over a wide composition and conversion range. The overall copolymerization parameter k(p)/k(t)(1/2) and the composition of the copolymer formed have been measured as a function of conversion . Theoretical values of the coupled parameter k(p)/k(t)(1/2) calculate d from the implicit penultimate unit model and those of cumulative cop olymer composition, determined from the Mayo-Lewis terminal model, hav e been correlated with those experimentally obtained. (C) 1997 John Wi ley & Sons, Inc.