| Abstract: | The aqueous polymerization of acrylamide initiated by bromate/thiourea redox system has been studied in acidic media at 25 ± 0.2°C in a nitrogen atmosphere. The rate of polymerization has been found to vary with the first power of the potassium bromate concentration within the range 0.75·10?2 to 2.0·10?2 mole·1?1 and nearly with the first power of the hydrochloric acid concentration within the range 2.85·10?2 to 8.55·10?2 mole·1?1. However, the rate of polymerization is independent of the thiourea concentration, but varies with the first power of the monomer concentration within the range 6.0·10?2 to 10.0·10?2 mole·1?1. The initial rate increases but the maximum conversion decreases as the temperature increases within the range 19 to 35°C. The over all energy of activation has been found to be 22.9 kcal·mole?1 within the temperature range mentioned above. Water miscible organic solvents and mono- and dibasic salts show the same effect as given by MISRA et al. The effect of cationic and anionic surfactants has been found to increase and decrease the rate of polymerization (Rp) respectively, however non-ionic detergents have no effect on the (Rp). |
