Effect of Oxygen and Initiator Solubility on Admicellar Polymerization of Styrene on Silica Surfaces

Although admicellar polymerization has been termed the surface analog of emulsion polymerization, previous reports utilizing free radical-initiated admicellar polymerization relied on high levels of the free radical initiator when compared to emulsion polymerization, likely due to the presence of ox...

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Main Authors: Pohlee Cheah, Caitlin N. Bhikha, John H. O’Haver, Adam E. Smith
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Hindawi Limited 2017-01-01
Series:International Journal of Polymer Science
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/6308603
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spelling doaj-ec9a89b1375e4a6791276194d9aa1ecd2020-11-25T00:51:31ZengHindawi LimitedInternational Journal of Polymer Science1687-94221687-94302017-01-01201710.1155/2017/63086036308603Effect of Oxygen and Initiator Solubility on Admicellar Polymerization of Styrene on Silica SurfacesPohlee Cheah0Caitlin N. Bhikha1John H. O’Haver2Adam E. Smith3Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Mississippi, 134 Anderson, University, MS 38677, USADepartment of Chemical Engineering, University of Mississippi, 134 Anderson, University, MS 38677, USADepartment of Chemical Engineering, University of Mississippi, 134 Anderson, University, MS 38677, USADepartment of Chemical Engineering, University of Mississippi, 134 Anderson, University, MS 38677, USAAlthough admicellar polymerization has been termed the surface analog of emulsion polymerization, previous reports utilizing free radical-initiated admicellar polymerization relied on high levels of the free radical initiator when compared to emulsion polymerization, likely due to the presence of oxygen in the reported admicellar polymerization systems. Admicellar polymerizations of styrene on the surface of precipitated silica initiated by either a water-soluble or a water-insoluble initiator were studied to determine the effect of dissolved oxygen and free radical initiator solubility on the kinetics, yield, and molecular weight of the polymer formed. Results show that the presence of oxygen reduces the polymer yield and limits molecular weight. The solubility of the initiator also affected the polymer formed in the admicellar polymerization of styrene. While monomer conversions and polymer yield were similar, the molecular weights of polymerizations initiated by a water-soluble initiator were higher than comparable polymerizations initiated by a water-insoluble initiator.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/6308603
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Pohlee Cheah
Caitlin N. Bhikha
John H. O’Haver
Adam E. Smith
spellingShingle Pohlee Cheah
Caitlin N. Bhikha
John H. O’Haver
Adam E. Smith
Effect of Oxygen and Initiator Solubility on Admicellar Polymerization of Styrene on Silica Surfaces
International Journal of Polymer Science
author_facet Pohlee Cheah
Caitlin N. Bhikha
John H. O’Haver
Adam E. Smith
author_sort Pohlee Cheah
title Effect of Oxygen and Initiator Solubility on Admicellar Polymerization of Styrene on Silica Surfaces
title_short Effect of Oxygen and Initiator Solubility on Admicellar Polymerization of Styrene on Silica Surfaces
title_full Effect of Oxygen and Initiator Solubility on Admicellar Polymerization of Styrene on Silica Surfaces
title_fullStr Effect of Oxygen and Initiator Solubility on Admicellar Polymerization of Styrene on Silica Surfaces
title_full_unstemmed Effect of Oxygen and Initiator Solubility on Admicellar Polymerization of Styrene on Silica Surfaces
title_sort effect of oxygen and initiator solubility on admicellar polymerization of styrene on silica surfaces
publisher Hindawi Limited
series International Journal of Polymer Science
issn 1687-9422
1687-9430
publishDate 2017-01-01
description Although admicellar polymerization has been termed the surface analog of emulsion polymerization, previous reports utilizing free radical-initiated admicellar polymerization relied on high levels of the free radical initiator when compared to emulsion polymerization, likely due to the presence of oxygen in the reported admicellar polymerization systems. Admicellar polymerizations of styrene on the surface of precipitated silica initiated by either a water-soluble or a water-insoluble initiator were studied to determine the effect of dissolved oxygen and free radical initiator solubility on the kinetics, yield, and molecular weight of the polymer formed. Results show that the presence of oxygen reduces the polymer yield and limits molecular weight. The solubility of the initiator also affected the polymer formed in the admicellar polymerization of styrene. While monomer conversions and polymer yield were similar, the molecular weights of polymerizations initiated by a water-soluble initiator were higher than comparable polymerizations initiated by a water-insoluble initiator.
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/6308603
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