Kinetics of dispersion polymerization of soluble monomers. I. Methyl methacrylate

Abstract

Abstract The kinetics of the free‐radical‐initiated polymerization of methyl methacrylate in n ‐dodecane to produce dispersions of polymer stabilized with a steric barrier of soluble polymer chains have been determined by thermal analysis. The mode of the polymerization can be described in terms of a bulk polymerization within the monomerswollen polymer particles. A theoretical expression has been derived on the basis of a reaction scheme in which all the radicals produced in the diluent phase are transferred immediately to the polymer particles, monomer swells the polymer particles in partition equilibrium with monomer in the diluent, and polymerization proceeds within the polymer particle according to the kinetics of bulk polymerization, taking into account Trommsdorff acceleration and plasticization effects.