Propagation of vinyl polymers on clay surfaces. I. Preparation, structure, and decomposition of clay initiators

Abstract

Bentonite and kaolin adsorb 2,2′-azobisisobutyramidine hydrochloride by means of an ion-exchange reaction. The rate of decomposition of the resulting azo-clays in water is about twice as fast as that of the azo compound itself. The use of those organoclays as initiators in vinyl polymerization makes it possible to propagate vinyl polymers from the clay surface and prepare polymer-clay composition.