Capacity flow method for determination of propagation and termination rate constants in radical polymerization

The possibility of determination of the propagation and termination rate constants k_p and k_t, resp., as well as their ratios k_p/k_t and k_p/k in homogeneous radical polymerization is shown using the capacity flow method. A theoretical analysis is carried out and relatively simple equations are introduced. The essential point is that the life time of the growing polymer chain is obtained graphically from the residence time of the reactants in the reactor vessel, which is a given quantity. As an experimental example the polymerization of methyl methacrylate initiated by benzoyl peroxide in benzene is investigated in a flow reactor with perfect mixing at 80°C. It is characteristic that the process can be followed by means usually applied for studying slow reactions. The degree of conversion is measured turbidimetrically and gravimetrically, whereas the initiation rate is analysed iodometrically. Thus, through a numerical linear approximation by the method of least squares k_p/k_t = (2,28±0,45)·10^?5, k_p/k = (1,50±0,22). 10^?1 are found from the experimental data, and hence k^p = (9,95±0,83)·10² l mol^?1 s^?1 and k_t = (4,36±0,49)·10⁷ l mol^?1 s^?1 are obtained.