Determination of the kinetic parameters of pseudoliving radical polymerization by linearizing the chain length distribution of macromolecules

Abstract

A new approach is proposed for determination of quantitative kinetic parameters of pseudoliving radical polymerization proceeding in the mode of reversible termination, which include the reversible-termination rate constant, the length of the elementary step (number of growth events beginning from chain initiation to termination), and the number of steps that compose the chain during its growth. The method is based on the linearization of the chain length distribution of macromolecules and constitutes further development of the previously known approach to the determination of the chain transfer constant in nonliving polymerization. The applicability of the method was theoretically substantiated and experimentally verified using, as an example, some systems with reversible inhibition by nitroxides.