Kinetic parameters for polymerization of methyl methacrylate at 60°C

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTi.r.) and electron spin resonance spectroscopy (e.s.r.) have been used to follow the kinetics of the polymerization of methyl methacrylate to high conversion at 60°C. The FTi.r. absorbance at 6152 cm-1 was used to monitor the time dependence of the concentration of double bonds, and the concentration of the polymer-chain propagation radicals was monitored using the e.s.r. absorption spectrum. These data were analysed to obtain instantaneous estimates of the kinetic rate parameters for propagation and termination across the range of conversion, and of the initiator efficiency at high conversion. The kinetic parameters were found to be consistent with values obtained by other methods and with the predictions of recent theories