Macromolecules, Vol.28, No.11, 4023-4028, 1995
Measurement of Free-Radical Propagation Rate Coefficients for Ethyl, Butyl, and Isobutyl Methacrylates by Pulsed-Laser Polymerization
Propagation rate coefficient (k(p)) values have been measured for monomers in the methacrylate family-ethyl (EMA), n-butyl (BMA), and isobutyl (i-BMA)-using pulsed-laser polymerization combined with gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Molecular weight calibrations were verified using both commercial polymer standards and GPC viscometry. Covering the temperature range of 10-90 degrees C, the k(p) results are well fit by the Arrhenius relationship and are compared to previous determinations for methyl methacrylate (MMA). A definite increase in h, is observed when progressing from MMA to EMA to BMA, with k(p) differences between BMA and i-BMA slight.