K. Pendyala et al., Living poly(alpha-methylstyrene) near the polymerization line: VIII. Mass density, viscosity, and surface tension in tetrahydrofuran, J CHEM PHYS, 114(9), 2001, pp. 4312-4322
We consider the polymerization of alpha -methylstyrene, initiated by sodium
naphthalide in the solvent tetrahydrofuran on time scales that permit full
thermodynamic equilibrium between the monomer and the polymer. We present
new measurements as a function of temperature of the mass density, the shea
r viscosity, and the liquid-vapor surface tension, and we compare the data
to theoretical expectations when the polymerization is viewed as a phase tr
ansition. The mass density is well described by either mean field or nonmea
n field theories. The shear viscosity increases as the average degree of po
lymerization (DP) increases, but the exponent 3.4 is not reached, presumabl
y because the DP is too small. The surface tension increases as the DP incr
eases, indicating depletion of the polymer from the surface. (C) 2001 Ameri
can Institute of Physics.