Postpolymerization of quaternary ammonium acrylate polymer produced by electropolymerization

Postpolymerization of dimethylaminoethylmethaerylate-methyl chloride (DMAEM -MC) electropolymerization, with Sn+2/EDTA as initiator, was studied. The f actors that affect the stable average molecular weight of the polymer (MWin finity) created by postpolymerization were investigated. The results indica te that the major factors affecting the MWinfinity are the current density, pq. value, and the [Sn+2](i)/[EDTA](i) ratio. On the other hand, original reaction temperature, initial initiator concentration, and initial monomer concentration are minor factors affecting the postpolymerization polymer. I ncreasing the current density decreases the MWinfinity at fixed operating c onditions. The optimum [Sn+2](i) /[EDTA](i) ratio to obtain the highest MWi nfinity mainly depends on the pH(i) value. At 3.25 and 4.00 pH(i) values, t he optimum [Sn+2](I)/[EDTA](i) ratio is 5.00. However, at 1.75 and 2.50 pH( i) values the optimum ratios are 1.00 and 2.00, respectively. The results a lso reveal that increasing the original reaction temperature, initial initi ator concentration, and initial monomer concentration increases the molecul ar weight. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.