Electro-induced polymerization of acrylamide initiated by the potassium permanganate-Titriplex VI redox system

The polymerization of acrylamide (AAm) was carried out with a potassium per manganate-Titriplex VI redox initiator system with and without electrolysis . Because of the high metal-ion concentration in general, low-molecular-wei ght polymers were obtained (weight-average molecular weight = 2600-4000). T he effect of potassium permanganate and AAm concentrations and temperature on the polymerization yield was studied and compared with results obtained under the same experimental conditions used for electrolysis. The results o f Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, atomic absorption spectrometry, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results are given. SEM micrographs o f the polymer obtained by electrochemical methods exhibited smoother surfac es than those obtained by nonelectrolytic methods. In the absence of potass ium permanganate, there was no polymerization under experimental conditions . A possible reaction mechanism is suggested. The electro-induced system re sulted in about a 50% increase in the yield. Manganese content in the elect ro-induced and chemical polymerization systems were 2.7 and 8.2%, respectiv ely, supporting the yield increase in the electro-induced system. A graphit e electrode was used and resulted in a high yield and a fibrous polymeric s tructure. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.