Radiation‐induced copolymerization of formaldehyde and styrene

Abstract

AbstractThe radiation‐induced copolymerization of styrene with liquid formaldehyde in bulk and in solution has been studied at low temperatures. In bulk and in methylene chloride solution copolymerization took place, whereas in diethyl ether solution only homopolymerization of the formaldehyde was found. At −78°C., in bulk and in methylene chloride solution, no evidence of polystyrene blocks could be found, whereas at −30°C. in bulk about 30% of the styrene content of the copolymer was in the form of high molecular weight blocks. The rate of copolymerization in methylene chloride solution was found to be first‐order with respect to dose rate and third‐order with respect to formaldehyde concentration similar to results reported for formaldehyde in toluene solution. The thermal stabilities of the copolymers were found to be intermediate between those of pure polyoxymethylene and commercially stabilized polymers. Since the latter were of higher molecular weight and contain added stabilizers, the increased thermal stabilities of the copolymers were considered to be particularly significant.