Thermal polymerisation of methyl acrylate initiated by ceric ions in aqueous solution

Abstract

The kinetics of vinyl polymerisation initiated by ceric ions in perchloric acid solution have been studied with methyl acrylate as the monomer. The kinetics have been studied with respect to both ceric disappearance and monomer disappearance and the influence of pH on both the rates has also been studied. A first order dependence of ceric and monomer concentrations with reference to ceric disappearance has been found. An order of one-half for ceric concentration and 3/2 power for monomer concentration for the over-all rate has also been arrived at. Based on these, a probable mechanism for the initiation reaction has been proposed assuming a reaction between the Ce⁴⁺-ion and monomer resulting in the production of free radicals. A comparison with kinetics in nitric acid medium has also been made.