Cupric sulfate–hydrazine system as an initiator of vinyl polymerization. II. Polymerization of methyl methacrylate in aqueous solution in the absence of oxygen

Abstract

AbstractThe cupric sulfate–hydrazine system has been used to initiate the aqueous solution polymerization of methyl methacrylate at pH 9.25 in the absence of oxygen. There is no decomposition of hydrazine on the surface of the reduced cupric hydroxide until a flocculant precipitate is formed (cupric sulfate concentration of about 10−3 mole/1). Below this concentration, the initiating reaction occurs solely in solution, the rate of polymerization decreasing when the reaction mixture becomes depleted in cupric ions. When a suitable surface area of the precipitated polymer is attained, adsorption and decomposition of hydrazine occurs on its surface, causing further initiation of polymerization.