The polymerisation of styrene on 13X zeolite

Abstract

Abstract The polymerisation of styrene on 13X zeolite at 30°C has been studied. Rates of monomer consumption were determined dilatometrically, and the molecular weight distributions of the product were investigated by gel permeation chromatography. The effects of varying the weight of zeolite and the concentration of styrene were studied; the effects of preheating the zeolite samples to two different temperatures were also investigated. A cationic mechanism for the polymerisation is proposed; the initiation is on the zeolite surface and involves adsorbed water. The available space in the vicinity of the sites activated by water appears to determine the rate of propagation, and the molecular weight of the polymer.