Polymerization of acrylonitrile initiated by the cerium (iv)‎-tartaric acid redoxsystem : Akinetic study

Abstract EN

The polymerization of Acrylonitrile initiated by the free radicals generated by the Cerium (IV)-tartaric acid redox system, was studied in an aqueous nitric acid medium in the temperature range of 30 o C.

The rate of polymerization (RP) and the Cerium (IV) disappearance have been measured.

The effect of some water-miscible organic solvents, surfactants, and completing agents on the rate of polymerization were investigated.

The temperature dependence of the rate was studied and the activation parameters were computed using the Arrhenius and Eying plots.

A mechanism consistent with the experimental involving Ce (IV)–tartaric acid complex formation which generate free radicals was suggested.

The chain termination step of the polymerization reaction was by mutual interaction of the growing macro radicals.