Electroinitiated copolymerization of α-methylstyrene and isoprene in the presence and absence of ultrasound

Abstract

Electroinitiated cationic copolymerization of isoprene with α-methylstyrene was achieved by constant potential electrolysis both in the absence and presence of ultrasound. The copolymerizations were carried out at different potentials. The effects of polymerization potential and ultrasound on the rate of polymerization, copolymer composition and reactivity ratios were investigated. In the absence of ultrasound critical copolymer potential was found to be + 3.00 V versus Ag o Ag + at which r 1= r 2 and mole per cent of both monomers in the copolymer become equal.