Emulsion Polymerization Kinetics — Diffusion Controlled Reactions and Molecular Weight and Branching Development

Abstract

Herein is reported a summary of recent studies of diffusion-controlled termination and propagation reactions in free-radical polymerization which are pertinent to emulsion polymerization kinetics. Also included are discussions of the effects of diffusion-controlled termination and propagation on molecular weight and branching development with particular reference to the synthesis of poly (vinyl chloride) at high conversions and to the significant reduction of thermal stability of PVC which occurs.